doron's blaahg

What I like is the fact that Windows, Linux, Mac OS X binaries, and the source, are each on their own $12.99 CD.

Even better is that price doesn't include the postage, which is another $7, for a total of $20.

I wonder if they give discounts if you order all 4 CDs...

S/he started about a week ago and has been testing different pricing points between $2.99 - $12.99.

I don't believe that this is in violation of the MPL, binaries can be distributed by anyone and they can charge whatever the market bears for their service.

We (Mozcafe) were considering doing the same thing almost a year ago and subsequently did quite a bit of research.

The only vulnerability of their actions is their use of the word "Mozilla", which is owned by Netscape and will (or has been) transferred to the Mozilla Foundation. We have always perceived the trademark issue as a defensive move by Netscape, proper use of the trademark has never been enforced. This is likely to change with the new framework Mozilla is transitioning into. The Foundation might be interested in more vigorous defense of one of its most recognizable assets.

I believe the Foundation would be well advised to contact this entity to find out more about their success. There is little money to be made in the CD distribution business and it should be in the Foundation's interest to have reliable partners delivering good level of service to the Mozilla community and potential retail customers.

IE has the word "mozilla" in its UA...

IE has the word "mozilla" in its UA...

I noticed that but never understood why

Due to server side sniffing during the good old days when Netscape wsa the dominant browser and IE was starting.

This way servers thought it was "Mozilla", the nickname for Netscape based browsers.

Good point, however I wonder if trademark laws cover client-server communication. I believe they are more geared towards public use of certain words for marketing purposes.

Perhaps, if there was a patent... :-P

it's 2.99, not 12.99 ... or has it been "ajusted" since ?

This topic is one we will tackle later in this article, but it refers to making sure that your application and the dock aren't fighting it out for supremacy of the screen.

Okay, I just told you what Apple wants you to look out for with window positions, but in the real world, not everyone uses the hiding feature of the Dock, and it is unrealistic to be able to predict where each user will place their Dock at any given day or how large they will have it. However, you can build a feature into your application that allows spacing for the Finder. You can give users the option of where to position their windows and what area of the screen not to cross. I know that BBEdit provides me with this feature, and I wish more developers gave me more control over my windows.

Adhere to Layout Guidelines. Did you leave 12 pixels between your push buttons? Does the positioning of your pop-up menus make sense, and when do you use a pop-up versus a scrolling list? Are you using the right types of buttons for the proper functions?

Adhere to System Appearance. Does your application use all the sweetly colored buttons, delightfully shaded windows, and all the other "bells and whistles?"

Whether native or not, this is obviously one of the first steps on your way to OS X. Keep in mind that often, the functionality of your code has a lot to do with how your interface is designed. How many developers have come up with great functional ideas from working with their interface or looking at their competitors'? Start working on your Aqua compliance from day one. Don't wait until the last minute.

To put my money where my mouth is, in each new article I'll build a hypothetical application that illustrates the guidelines I'm covering. Today's application is called "Paint" and will be based on the photo-illustrative icon I created in my last article. Together we will complete each step, and by the end of the project we should have a well-designed, 95%-100% Aqua-compliant application. I'll leave some room for personal preferences and the fact that Apple changes the OS every few months.

Okay, I just told you what Apple wants you to look out for with window positions, but in the real world, not everyone uses the hiding feature of the Dock, and it is unrealistic to be able to predict where each user will place their Dock at any given day or how large they will have it. However, you can build a feature into your application that allows spacing for the Finder. You can give users the option of where to position their windows and what area of the screen not to cross. I know that BBEdit provides me with this feature, and I wish more developers gave me more control over my windows.

The simple fact is that, when all other factors are equal, where will consumers spend their money? I believe that in the long run, the best looking, easiest-to-use applications will also be the most successful. I think that's why Apple encourages developers to write programs that are 100 percent Aqua-compliant.

Adhere to System Appearance. Does your application use all the sweetly colored buttons, delightfully shaded windows, and all the other "bells and whistles?"

You Must Promise. To call your mother, to help old ladies cross the road, and to turn your cell phone off at the movies.