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So it’s been a while since I have posted but I have slowly been working on my programming skills.  I have met some cool people that have a passion for developing iPhone apps so it gives me some more motivation. The first application that I am working on is going to be a very simple calculator. Right now I have created a simple layout in the Interface Builder and have it all linked up. Right now I am working on setting each button to a specific number or symbol and putting them into an equation that displays on screen. I have hit a roadblock that I have yet to figure out. If you want a crack at it just leave me a comment.

There have been so many small applications that allow you to tap into social networks such as Twitterific, Twhirl, TweetDeck, and AlertThingy.  Out of all those the only one I visually like is Twitterific.  It’s probably because it’s the only one designed for use on the Mac.  The other three are made using Adobe Air, a platform that runs on both Windows and Mac. It seems that those three applications were designed by a Windows user because of their lack of a clean interface. I would love for a developer to create an application specifically for the Mac that does not run on Windows that can handle multiple social networks such as Twitter, FriendFeed, Facebook, Digg, ect.  I know EventBox is working on that solution but they are charging for their application. Yes I understand that they have put in a lot of time but none of the social networks charge for their services so why should this app. I feel that EventBox could do much better if it was opened to other developers. There are a lot of great developers out there that could add social networks to the list of supported services much faster.

  Thinking about this has made me think that this kind of application is what I would like to work on for my first application. I know it would take me a long time to complete as a first project but that’s why it would be open to other developers to help. I hope to start something like this sometime in Summer ‘09

   MacHeist V3 has officially kicked off. The fist mini mission has begun and the rewards are great.  The applications that have been unlocked are Webbla, KavaTunes, Love & Romace, ShoveBox. 

   This is a great chance for developers to get exposure to their applications. Even if they only have one application they may lose the sales on the version they give out for free but they should get a high return on new customers.  Even better if a developer has multiple apps.  This allows the developer to get exposure to their other apps by giving away a smaller application.  I have found a lot of great apps through the free applications over the past two years.

   With Apple adding the ability for iPhone developers to give out 50 free copies of their apps per version, I hope to see some free iPhone apps given away. They won’t be able to give everyone a free App but maybe they can give out a few to some random lucky winners. I hope to see some more great heisting and great apps from some awesome developers.

So I’m heading to Macworld on Friday for the last day of the expo. I will be looking closely at the independent developers showing off their apps.  I will be focusing on seeing how these independent developers have created their UI’s. I hope to really network with some of the independent developers that I have been following on twitter. I will doing a little write-up on my findings when I return.

Coding in general takes a lot of dedication. Whether it be coding a website, coding an application, or even a mobile application. My biggest struggle with coding is keeping my concentration. Another problem is after a full day is work, I’m not motivated to create a website for the company I would love to create. I think I need to cut my losses and stick to a simple blog until I have a solid app and hire someone to make me a WordPress site. This week I will spend tinkering with this site and come the new year I will be buying the new objective-c book and will be get deep into the world of cocoa programming during the month of January and February.

Ok so for my first application I think I will try and make an application that does conversions. It’s a simple idea that has been done many a times but it’s a good starting point.  From there I can create an iPhone app to go along with it.  I probably would never release the application because I think I would have to jump through to many hoops to get it out.  It’ll be my own little project where I can work on design, application speed, and the ability to have it update from an external site.

Since taking an interest in programming for the mac I have come across the Big Nerd Ranch. This is a dream week for anyone who wants to start programming for the mac. I would love to go but it is only being offered at a really bad time in my life. The one in January is at the busiest time for tech support, right after MacWorld, and the one being offered in June is right before I get married.

The price tag is also a little big but it seems worth it. I feel that I can come up with some creative applications for the iPhone and the mac if only I knew how to program.  I also follow a fair amount of developers on Twitter and they all seem like really awesome people to work with.

For the time being I will be purchasing a new Objective-C 2.0 book in January that should help me with the basics. If you live in the Sacramento, CA area and are a new developer or a veteran I would love to pick your brain. Also if anyone knows of an active developer forum please let me know.

This is a blog about a soon to be Mac developer. I will be posting what I learn and possibly be asking for some feedback on code that I write. I will be adding resources to the site as I find them and eventually I would like to start a small community of developers. If you would like to know more about me check out the about page.