Lora and I have been discussing with a few Tablet ISVs about creating a CD with the applications on TabletPCPost. It looks like the time is right and we’ll be organizing a Tablet apps CD over the coming weeks. The CD will be distributed at tradeshows, via mail and possibly other avenues.
Why make a CD available? Not everyone knows about TabletPCPost and even if they do, not everyone wants to spend time downloading a bunch of apps.
We want this to be a first-class showcase for Tablet ISVs. Our goal is to help them get exposure and to help users see just how much great Tablet software there is out there.
We’re considering two approaches: One is to bundle all the apps into a CD set (assuming each app publisher gives the OK) and the other is to have a CD which just contains the Best of TabletPCPost.
Which would you like to see?
I owned a computer store several years ago. I’m a developer now (and was then, actually). I’d favor two things: Give them All apps on the CD, with a good 1 or 2 paragraph summary of each (Type of application, age group, price, version at time of writing, etc.) Basically things to tell them how to sell it, if it would match their plans, etc.
Two, push back on the application submitters for self running demo modes on all apps. I’d suggest a common way to invoke demo mode. Perhaps command line ” /demo /timelimit”.
Third (OK, I have three points :)), write and include a “Demo Master Control” program that would run all the above on a cycle, with controllable times per app. Here, I’d suggest a simple text file script with app name and time. That allows maximum flexibility for highlighting some apps more than others.
One more thing. In demo mode, the program should either “show” or “flash” the application name periodically.
Oh, and if you make an ISO available for download, I promise to download it and show it to people 🙂
Great suggestion about the ISO image.
the ISO image is a great idea for grass roots activity. And since there seems to be more Tablet PC’s in younger hands now (Colleges and Schools), i don’t see why the schools wouldn’t be willing to distribute the image with all the tablets they are distributing or at least provide download sites for the trial or free titles — either way that’s more exposure …keep up the good work!!