Today's Mac shareware industry is a really funny one. For example, a few developers, who won't be mentioned, don't appear to be in the software business at all. Their interests, or perhaps tactics, involve fueling fires and starting unnecessary conflict in the Mac community. While the more experienced (civilly) criticize the values and tactics of these developers for justified reasons, they are consistently bitter towards this criticism, and quite frankly, come off as completely tasteless and unprofessional. We have a pretty sad state of affairs when sticking to cliques suddenly becomes important. I'd readily provide examples but I think most of you know what I am talking about.

What happened to simply making good apps?

I remember when indie Mac development appeared to be at its peak. Larger companies such as Panic and The Omni Group were doing great things at the time. Their development record is questionable as of late, but maybe that is the price you pay when you become a larger company. Other apps such as Watson and Delicious Library were blowing people away. Off topic, I also remember when an app looking like it belonged in Mac OS X was desirable.

But now, in an era where there are hundreds if not thousands of Mac OS X apps being developed, what do you do to stand out? Do you lash out at those who oppose you? Do you resort to using gimmicks and other questionable marketing tricks? How do you tell the world that your app is worth their attention?

In the real world, quality and innovation are the foundations of real success. But to even think that is true for Mac apps is just blasphemy, right?