Rant

piersk

Don't you just hate it when this happens.

You work for ages building an application that you haven't seen before and you think it's something that people would be interested in using.

Then you happen to come across something that has been running for ages, is owned by a large company and does pretty much exactly the same as the software you have been creating.

This happened to me today.

Rar!

vaaaska

Originally posted by piersk
Then you happen to come across something that has been running for ages, is owned by a large company and does pretty much exactly the same as the software you have been creating.

If it's really good, then it sounds like you have an opportunity here as well.

Elizabeth

Piers, that doesn't mean you shouldn't still pursue it! Maybe you can do it a little better, or offer something that they can't. In fact, this might be a good thing because then you KNOW it's a good idea... if it was truly something that had not been done before, then perhaps there was a reason that it had not been done before. But since you now have proof that it is a good idea, then go for it! You can also use them to help you fine-tune your product. What don't their customers like about the product? Where are their bugs and weaknesses? They might have more resources to spend in software development, but you are the MIGHTY PIERS! 🙂

dalecosp

Hmm, it's either "Don't reinvent the wheel", or it's "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door."

I suppose it's your choice.

I missed the date on this ... if this is a Monday thing, rest assured that I just bawled out a level 1 helpdesk person in Kentucky on your behalf....

Of course, we found out a few minutes later it wasn't her/their fault, so I feel kinda terrible. But, what to do?

pohopo

If you did not know about it for that long then many people do not know about this software meaning you could provide a niche. If that large company is microsoft then that will be to your advantage. The fact that it competes with MS will give you an automatic following.

LordShryku

Or they'll buy you out. You sellout! 😃

BuzzLY

... for millions, perhaps. Then you could buy PHPBuilder.com and make all of us employees. 🙂

davidjam

MHO: external competition is moot! The only competition that matters is within yourself to learn more and to do it better. I have found (and I am not necessarily a blazingly wondrous examp.) to just ignore what is "being done" "out there" and just forge ahead with what gives a charge. And I say, invent, and re-invent to suit whatever YOU think is necessary without regard for the mainstream. This is where new great stuff happens!

I am presently working on a project manag. system. I actually thought I was the only one. So I look at microsofts stuff and say bleach! and then I see what 37signals came up with (movement away from the "report" orientation) towards what they call "simplicity", and yet I still don't like it. It isn't doing what I THINK needs to be done. So I forge on... 🙂

(perhaps 37 is focussing on "collaborative projects" where my focus is "job management"...)

dalecosp

Originally posted by BuzzLY
... for millions, perhaps. Then you could buy PHPBuilder.com and make all of us employees. 🙂

Hmm, can I work from home? 😃

LordShryku

You'd probably have to stop peeing on their sign, but I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem =D

dalecosp

ROFL ...😃

I guess! Of course, I like working for me, and in the country to boot.... I can do what I need to off the office patio. (But I don't have a sign ...)

LordShryku

This being the earliest rant thread I found, I'm gonna just post this link. I've heard there may even be a free shoeshine in it for you if you accept his "challenge"!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have more newbies to annoy.

tekky

Originally posted by LordShryku
This being the earliest rant thread I found, I'm gonna just post this link. I've heard there may even be a free shoeshine in it for you if you accept his "challenge"!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have more newbies to annoy.

Damn you Shryku! Annoying newbs w/o me! Traitor! Just cause I'm half way around the world... (wait, does being on the opposite side of the globe constitute half way around really?) you think you can just leave the team and go solo? :glare:

Hehe 😃

LordShryku

No, you're just slacking. :p

If you look, he just pasted that whole page's code into a few posts. I'll leave that open so you can go get your jabs in 😃

tekky

Bah someone already helped him, so I posted a "different" reply... hopefully it will open his eyes a bit 😉

dalecosp

Originally posted by tekky
Bah someone already helped him, so I posted a "different" reply... hopefully it will open his eyes a bit 😉

Here's someone's eyes to open: http://www.phpbuilder.com/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10299250

I don't think I wanna help; next time I'm pulled over 'cause I'm driving the tractor too fast, I don't want my name nor company logo associated with such a site..... 😃

tekky

How about this... (found on a link from one of his pages)

http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=6657