Windows Mobile Development No Longer Free

Jacco de Leeuw writes "Windows Mobile developers have enjoyed free development tools like the eMbedded Visual Tools and that in turn has helped popularize Windows Mobile devices and a number of free or cheap applications. But now the SDK for the upcoming Windows Mobile 5.0 has a number of 'technical (not political) dependencies' on Visual Studio 2005, which starts at $299. Is it time for an open source Windows Mobile toolchain?"

Comments

No

[wowbagger]

Is it time for an open source Windows Mobile toolchain?"

No, it is time to get developers to realize that there are other platforms one can use for a mobile computing platform that are NOT Windows.

Re:No

[flawedgeek]

No, it is time to get developers to realize that there are other platforms one can use for a mobile computing platform that are NOT Windows.

Too bad windows is where the users are. It's the same reason I can't find cheap, reliable terminal emulation for my client's powerbook. There's not sufficient user base to make those sorts of apps profitable.

Re:No

[wowbagger]

And you, sir are a part of the problem.

This is about mobile computing - i.e. palm-top computers, PDAs, and other almost embedded systems - not your client's Powerbook, or your client's x86 computer.

But Microsoft has brainwashed you into believing that all desktop computing is all computing, and that all computing is desktop computing - the idea that a mobile platform is different than a desktop is suppressed - is an "un-idea".

And before you respond "but porting software from Windows to Windows Embedded is easy" - no, it is not. There are enough differences between Windows Desktop and Windows Embedded that the effort of maintaining one code base between the two is non-trivial - and is about the same as porting your program to Qt or GTK and using that to build both the desktop version and the mobile version.

This is the great triumph that Microsoft has won - it is not merely a question of them being "The Only Choice", but rather that the whole idea of "choice" is suppressed.

Re:No

[Anonymous Coward]

This is the great triumph that Microsoft has won - it is not merely a question of them being "The Only Choice", but rather that the whole idea of "choice" is suppressed.

And your problem is you can't accept that he willingly chooses Microsoft. Microsoft isn't "The Only Choice" but he thinks it's "The Best Choice" and make ad hominem attacks because you disagree.

Nah...

[i58]

It's just time to stop supporting those platforms that reach into your pockets both directions if thats important to you. If you don't like it, use a platform that has more alternatives like Palm. Eventually they'll get the message.

you assume much.....

[flawedgeek]

The reference to the powerbook was an example, you insensitive clod. And regarding your comment about how all computing is desktop computing, well, I never said that, did I?

$299 is expensive?

[ednopantz]

In a universe where programmers cost at least $50 an hour, there are still people who think a $300 IDE is expensive. A good tool saves you that much in labor costs in the first week of use.

Re:$299 is expensive?

[etnoy]

Why do people so often think that quality and price goes hand and hand in the software market?

$299

[SteveX]

Chances are if you're a software developer writing software for a Windows CE device, you're already going to buy a copy of Visual Studio.

If you're not, well, then the tool costs $299. Doesn't seem all that unreasonable. It's not like they're charging you a per-device licensing fee like some embedded tool vendors do.

this is so contrary to the industry

[yagu]

I find this interesting because Bill Gates himself actually uses as anecdotal evidence in the computer industry what would be the result if prices and productivity increased in, say the car industry at the same rate as the computer industry. Yet, I'm surprised more don't find Microsoft's pricing the most damning indictment of either Mr. Gates' thesis, or of Microsoft's pricing practices.

The gist of Gates' anecdote (and I'm just thumbnailing, there are far more accurate and detailed analyses available) is that if cars progressed as computers have, a car that cost $10,000 back in the early 80's today would cost about $100, would get four or five hundred miles per gallon, etc. Accordingly a glimpse at the progress in computers is quite amazing, but I find it curious why OS' prices haven't shown the same trend. Could Gates' anecdote apply ONLY to hardware? I don't think so.

Anyway, food for thought. I think this Mobile example is a pretty good indicator though of what happens when Microsoft continues to control so much of so many pieces of the industry. They put themselves out there as the benevolent "helpers", even going so far as to make it appear they will give things away..., but when noone is looking, and all of the competition has finally cried "Uncle", the kid gloves come off, and Microsoft can pretty much define the marketplace any way they want... as they've demonstrated yet again. Sigh.

Aim, pull trigger...

[Fizzl]

...Shoot(foot);

Ah yes, charging money for SDK's is the sure fire way to make your platform popular.
What the hell are they thinking?

Hobbyist Software?

[Mensa Babe]

Well, that's it then. Since my hobbist software development budget is approximately zero - I'm going to have to give up on Windows Mobile development. [emphasis added]

As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you steal your software. Hardware must be paid for, but software is something to share. Who cares if the people who worked on it get paid? Is this fair? ... One thing you do do is prevent good software from being written. Who can afford to do professional work for nothing? What hobbyist can put 3-man years into programming, finding all bugs, documenting his product and distribute for free? The fact is, no one besides us has invested a lot of money in hobby software. We have written 6800 BASIC, and are writing 8080 APL and 6800 APL, but there is very little incentive to make this software available to hobbyists. Most directly, the thing you do is theft. Bill Gates, An Open Letter to Hobbyists, February 3, 1976.

It has been thirty and you still can't realize that you are non grata? Your patience is unbelievable but why won't you just get over it and go somewhere else where people actually want you? Crazy idea, isn't it?