Internet & Technology

The independent programmer may be the most important cog in the next generation of computing

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The "Cloud" is a name coined by the computer industry whereby applications exist above PCs, hand held devices, appliances and phones.  User data resides on huge server farms someplace on the Cloud.  The core draw for customers is that high cost and high use applications will run on the Cloud and only partially with the local user with reduced overall cost and less hassle.  This race to be the first on the Cloud is second only to attracting developers that the big companies don't have to pay.

Open Systems have come on strongly over the past decade.  What does this mean?

An Open System is a software 'platform' built upon source code that is open to any and all developers.  It is managed by a central  group, but within reason is open for addition and change to any and all. 

Usually the central group maintains the quality control on what is released in the next open version.  The core group over time gets stronger and stronger and the application base grows exponentially.  The independent developer loses control, but the overall application grow to maturity.

This has in the past been extended to hardware platforms too.  For example the famous Intel chip base has been stable and upon it were built the modern PCs. 

Of course Intel does not allow people to get into their silicon foundry and mess things up.  What it does insure is version over version compatibility of the hardware.  They will sell the open platform to anybody  This lasts until the next big revolution and at that time the cards are dealt again and the whole process is repeated.

A good example of a software platform that started as open is the Linux operating system that grew to be very important in the server industry.  It's hard to define Open vs. Closed.  There comes a point when a stable platform is achieved and changes to the core become rare.  Neither Microsoft nor Apple has an open system.  They allow developers to 'plug-in' their applications using standard and documented interfaces.  The big spot now for open software now is on the handhelds.

The Smart Phone industry has been struggling with the same open vs. closed issues.  Apple has a very large application development team that uploads Apps for their profit and Apple's benefit.  Their operating system is not really open and some developers are opting to go over to Google's Android and Microsoft's new system.  They are annoyed that Apple rejects things like Flash, although Apple may be forced to change. These are turf wars that are deadly serious because the world-wide independent developer community  is vital for success.

What's the beef that developers have? 

They understand that they cannot fiddle with all the core code of an operating system at their whim.  This would not sell and would create chaos.  What they do want is to be able to get to all the important interfaces that are available to the manufacturer's developers.   They don't want to have to be second fiddle to the original creators of the operating system.

This need plays out over time.  Suppose an independent developer creates a great application and the 'Big Guy' spots it and sees that 'Big' can do it better because they have access to vital code that the independent person does not have access to because the system is not open.

It's not unlike a spare parts manufacturer for auto parts.  It's a dangerous business, if you are not secure in making something for the add-on market.   Will the next new model put you out of business?

In software all or most of the specs have to be available early.  The small developer will always be behind what could be done by the big guy so they have to rely on innovation early.  Over time they can lose their edge.

If they create a good application with what they know and it is copied and improved by the 'Big Guy' because Mr. Big knows something that they don't, then they look around to shift platforms, if possible. 

The 'Bigs' in this game are Microsoft, Google, Blackberry and Apple.  Whoever appears more open and gets market share will win.  Market share right now is not as important as what it will be in 3 years.   That will be crucial to who dominates.

As we have pointed out in the past, the winner will be the one with the most total software that can range from 'The Cloud' with massive servers down to appliances in your home.  The winner will be the company that can use independent developers best.

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Thursday, December 23, 2010