Digital Press /Portable/ Rarity Guide

[Nz17]

He has, they're called Tony Hawk Ride and Tony Hawk Shred. You may have heard of them. Not to mention working on BFA. While on a higher scale than your project, I think it's fair to say he knows what he's talking about.

I suppose I need finer accuracy to explain what I meant. Despite the commercial nature of those games, what I was referring to was the specific development and deployment of applications for mobile platforms. I don't doubt that ProgrammingAce is a programmer - his opinions make this easy to know - nor do I doubt him capable of making a mobile app.

What my statement was trying to point out is that there is much more to the commercial success of a program than just the programming, and there are all sorts of pitfalls and gotchas in the world of mobile development especially when considering deploying on multiple platforms. The ronin developer is not to be envied for he needs to be PR, marketing, programming, business, art, and more all rolled into one.

So you're spending all of this time to make an app that uses and relies on the DP database and the only way to submit a correction is to go to a PC, log in to DP, post on a forum, and hope that one of the database maintainers fixes it. Instead of using the application that's already in their hand...

I didn't design the method of creation, I'm just turning it into a useful mobile app. Perhaps in the future something will be made with this idea in mind, but for now that's outside of this app's scope and it would add an unneeded layer of complication to something that doesn't need to be complex.

Since you're asking for donations to purchase a new PC, why not buy the Mac from that? You could do the Android and iOS versions from the same system, and not require the purchase of an additional PC.

Because as the original budget outline clearly demonstrates, only $400 has been allocated for a PC. If you know of a good source for $400 Intel Macs, please enlighten us.

How is this volunteering? You're being paid up front, and after the application is delivered. You're asking everyone else to take the risk. We have to trust that after paying you $4,600, you'll produce an app. It seems a reasonable risk, but the risk is on us, not you. Take a look at sourceforge for all the applications that started with good intentions, but were never completed.

First of all, don't be hating on Sourceforge's projects. Many good men and women started those free of charge and free of restriction, and life doesn't always work out for programs or people. Everyone flocks to the biggies no matter if they are in the open source world or not, and it is difficult to get the attention of people if you aren't gigantic.

Second, I am volunteering because technically voluntarism doesn't have to be at no cost. It just means somebody is willing to undertake a responsibility or action without being forced. And while I'm no professional applications programmer, I imagine that the amount I'm asking for is way under par for this kind of development.

Third, I don't see a dime through Kickstarter unless the $2600 goal is met. That's right, despite the generous contributions we've seen so far, I've still only received $0.00 and it'll stay that way if we don't obtain the grand total. No loss for pledging to a project that doesn't make it.

And why do you seem to have a problem with money being made from this project? Don't you want to see this Web site, as well as all the other DP-branded initiatives, this entire collective of video game knowledge and community, survive past the founder's charity? I know that Joe Santulli likes to pay for this site, the store, the magazine, the guide, and all those other little bits that make up DP, but one day that will stop and then where will we be? And I don't know about anyone else, but I'd like to see Joe's generosity be repaid by having his projects not be a source of financial burden, but actually pay him back ten fold for all he has given. Have others given of their time and effort? Certainly. Of money? Of course. But no one has given more than Joe, and while 15% isn't 100%, he certainly appreciates the giving as he expects nothing back from this endeavor even if it is a huge success.

Fourth, $4600 divided by the 16,743 user accounts here is only $0.27 per person. Even if you only wanted to count the 1,296 active accounts, that's still only $3.55 per person. And shockingly enough, I think 1300 people can stand to have $5 less than one person can stand to be out $4600 by himself. But then again, I did say that this project will go forth even if we only make our $2600 goal, so I suppose all of those numbers should really be less per person.

And I can't see how anyone would consider me untrustworthy. The whole site, nay, the whole server is under my jurisdiction. I don't think I'd be entrusted with such a responsibility if I wasn't deserving of it.

Maybe i wasn't clear. I'm not claiming you're charging any individual twice, but the community as a whole.

OK, how does the community pay twice? Each person who wants a copy of the app pays once, either now or later. Collectively, that means the community pays for the app once. People are free to pledge $5, $100, $0, just wait until the app is released, or pay nothing forever. Nobody is getting short changed.

Your only real audience for this app is the DP community, which is the same community you're asking for donations from.

Funny enough, DP does not encompass the whole audience for this app. There are many game collectors who have never been here who would want this. There are many non-collectors who just want to see what their games are worth or how uncommon they are. And despite the fact that this information is available in a variety of ways, many people prefer the convenience of a mobile app.

Gah, I need to start promoting this at other places more.

On that note, how exactly will you be giving the free copies of the iOS version to the people who donate? As Skaar said, you have a limited number of free codes for a published iOS app.

OK, let's try this again: The only, single fundraiser will fund the Android version. This gets complimentary copies of the Android version to those who contributed. Sales from the Android version past this point fund other versions. Other versions include iOS. There are no "free" copies for iOS. That is because that version won't have a fundraiser.

This is just rude and disingenuous.

I don't see how, nor the difference among them. They are all profitable ventures made possible by the work of volunteers who expect no compensation for their work. And I haven't heard a single Guide Information Contributor complain about this.

You're asking for DP members to pay all of your upfront costs, including the hardware and worker's time. It seems improper to use that as a justification for the cost of the app as well...

Amazingly, you're mixing up two things again. The DP members who pay upfront... get the app at no additional charge. Zilch. But those who want to get the app later, after it is finished, pay $5 to the app store of their choice. And a percentage of this money goes directly back to paying for the Digital Press Web site and other endeavors.

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All of this typing of responses is taking up valuable time I could be spending on things like improving the Web site or promoting the two Digital Press Kickstarter projects. Therefore I am now only going to respond to those who have or who are thinking of financially contributing to the project. Thus this thread will be split into two: one thread for updates on the project's progress, and another thread for discussion.