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7 posts total
 If you were a Mac developer in 2006 and earlier, you didn't have to do anything that Apple wanted. You didn't even need an Apple Developer account, or indeed an Apple ID (which was used primarily for iTunes Music Store purchases). The Xcode developer tools came on disc with every Mac. I'm not sure that developers today can imagine such a world of freedom. They come in adopting a servile mindset. The question is not, what would Steve Jobs do? The question is, what would someone do who actually gave a shit about users and the user interface? Jobs was one of them. Cook is not. We don't need to resurrect Steve to know that, or to know what to do.  @lapcatsoftware yeah, although it would be nice if he was resurrected because we wouldn’t have ugly flat design anymore (fuck jony ive for ruining software design)  @lapcatsoftware Cook doesn't try to assert himself into the UI/UX process at all. Unfortunately, Jony Ive did.  @lapcatsoftware yes, but also the person who cares should be at the top of the company. That is still rare What really bothers me about the breathless “Apple needs to catch up” and “Apple needs to enter this market” commentary is that Apple is already the most valuable company in the world. They don’t need ANYTHING more. Why would we even want Apple to dominate every market?  I shouldn’t have to explain the logic behind universal code signing, even if that includes malware, but apparently I do: 1) If all non-malware is signed, then Mac users never have a reason to bypass Gatekeeper (e.g., the right-click song and dance). In fact, Apple could make the process even more difficult than it is now. 2) If Mac users never get into the habit of bypassing Gatekeeper, then malware is incentivized to be signed too, otherwise it’s more difficult to distribute. 3) … 3) It’s much easier for Apple to monitor and control signed software. Malware authors have to sign up for a developer account. Apps have to be uploaded to Apple for a malware scan before distribution to be notarized. Apple can revoke Developer ID certificates and notarization tickets at any time. …  I'm not against code signing as a concept, but I very much despise the way Apple implemented it by trusting itself and no one else whatsoever. There are no provisions made for people who don't trust Apple. Let me self-sign my apps like it's done on Android. Let me as a user add signing certificates used by developers I trust, let me make my own decisions and take my own responsibility. Safari extensions bug: browser action onClicked works only once per launch of Mobile Safari This breaks Homecoming for Mastodon! @lapcatsoftware @DavidBlue I've noticed similar issues. It seems there are currently serious problems with Safari extensions. Bartender app has been acquired. It’s not clear by whom, though. https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1d7zjv8/comment/l73h9gv/ @lapcatsoftware that one reply makes a lot of sense… we’re probably seeing a move to subscription in the near future. It’s odd, because this message from the developer 8 months ago didn’t sound like someone who’s getting ready to sell out. https://www.macbartender.com/b5blog/Bartender5-over-a-decade/ Frankly, Apple has been far too complacent about its software quality, or lack thereof. We wouldn’t have said this about 2004 Apple, but we can definitely say it about 2024 Apple. |
Gregory's Server
@lapcatsoftware even harder to imagine is how easy we gave up all that freedom.
@lapcatsoftware majority of programmers uses Windows anyway. and have this freedom.
@lapcatsoftware I believe that developers who can and want that freedom are generally repelled by developing for the Apple ecosystem. I'm generally a happy Apple user, I even freelanced as a language engineer at Apple, but the idea that I'd need a $99/year subscription just to let my code run on someone else's device always felt wrong. I rather build wonky web apps, at least they run on all platforms.