Re: [NTLK] Experience with NewtSync and a suggestion

Well, it seems there is a lot of interest my suggestion. I had never
heard of the "bounty" scenario Marty described and I think its a
great idea but in the end, I think finding a professional developer
to do this would be a better option. The bounty scenario would entail
storing the money, hoping a developer steps up and if one never does,
then finding out what to do with the money. If we find the developer
first we can get an estimate of how much we need and then everyone
pitches in to come up with that amount. We would then be sure the app
is developed and there is no need to come up with a solution of how
to distribute the money if no one steps up to the plate. If we can't
find a developer, the bounty idea could then be used.

Here are some things that come to mind that I think it is important
they are addressed.

1. We could set up a Paypal account where the money would be stored
until the app is developed. Who handles the account... I have no
idea. I'm pretty sure some of you would be hesitant to give your
money to anyone out of fear they would disappear with it. So who
controls the account is an important consideration.

2. Setting up a web-page is a great idea and I would be happy to host
it and create it.

3. We need to make a list of features the app MUST have beforehand.
This way, we prevent people from trying out the app and then saying
it doesn't satisfy them and then asking for their money back. The
"MUST HAVE LIST" would be a contract to the developer. It can be as
specific as we want it and all who support the initiative can vote on
features. (this might bite me in the ass in the future as making
everyone happy is difficult).

4. Everyone who supports the initiative can have the privilege of
being a beta tester.

5. I know there are windows users that would be really interested in
this but I don't know how to deal with that. Now that Macs run Intel
it might be easier to port the app to Windows but I don't know if an
app could be developed that would simultaneously work on both
platforms. Java would be an option but Java apps tend to be
slooooooowwww. Windows users could set up a parallel initiative to do
the same or to come up with the funding for the developer (or another
one) to port it. It would be great if both apps had similar look and
feel to keep the experience consistent but is not necessary.

I'm really excited by everyone's support of this so please continue
giving input and ideas on how we might handle the logistics.

Tovi

On Aug 30, 2006, at 9:48 AM, Norman Palardy wrote:

>
> On Aug 29, 2006, at 4:44 PM, Javier Monllor wrote:
>> <snip> Suppose there are 500 people in the
>> community that give $10 (maybe $20) dollars to a professional
>> developer. Wouldn't this be enough to entice him to write a fully
>> working and useful syncing software for OS X? We already have two
>> open source initiatives, maybe he could start working from those.
>> Hey, maybe some member of the list would be willing to do it !
>>
>> This may be a naive suggestion, but I know I would gladly pay to
have
>> my MP flawlessly sync to my iMac.
>
> I'd be in for $50 at least
> My Newt is kind of languishing since I got an Intel Mac since I
> cannot run classic and use NCU any more
> A native OS X app would be awesome

The classic "bounty" scenario as used in open source projects could
be attempted. We should set up a web page where people can donate to
the bounty, and then when/if someone is able to pull off an isync
plugin that meets certain standards (to be deterimined), which by
some accounts shouldn't be all that hard, we pay them the bounty.

This requires somewhere for the web page to reside which is no big
deal, as we have many listee's that can do that, but also some
vehicle for the funds to reside (hopefully earn interest also).

I would suggest that after a period of time (say 5 years) if the
funds aren't collected, the money could either be refunded, or
( better from my point of view ) contributed to some worthwhile
charity. This could be another whole can of worms, though, come to
think of it.

Also, while we are discussing this, while an iSync plugin would make
those of us using OSX happy, it wouldn't do squat for those poor
souls using windows. Perhaps we could make the bounty target some
kind of cross platform standard that would work both ways? Is there
one that would work? Like SyncML perhaps?

Don't know, but certainly there are many users that would love to
sync there address books at least, and calendars as well.

Marty

PS I would chip in a bit also.

-- 
This is the NewtonTalk list - http://www.newtontalk.net/ for all inquiries
Official Newton FAQ: http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/
WikiWikiNewt for all kinds of articles: http://tools.unna.org/wikiwikinewt/