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You're assuming that users: a) Haven't heard sufficient word of mouth buzz about the application such that they question why it performs so poorly for them. b

You're assuming that users: a) Haven't heard sufficient word of mouth buzz about the application such that they question why it performs so poorly for them. b) That this word of mouth doesn't cause them to seek out the source of the problem - i.e. the old age of their browser. c) that they don't look forward to using a platform that allows them to enjoy the application when they are blocked from upgrading at work/school etc, d) that it is not possible to infer the increased value of upgrading from observing the experiences of those who have, and e) given all of the above, still decide that your app is of no value to them. That is to say, if you assume a) through d) then you assume your app is of little value and you shouldn't be building it.

Alexx 16y ago
I think you're hugely over estimating the competence of a large percentage of internet users.
andrewf 16y ago
I'm definitely assuming (a). I think we have different user stereotypes in mind. I think that lots of people spend little to no time hearing about, or talking about, applications they aren't using already. These are the kinds of people that go to mint.com not because they've heard about it, and are excited about it, but because they typed "track my finances" into Google and it was the first result.
- grovulent 16y ago
  Well I don't disagree that in one sense you're making your life harder for yourself by adopting a platform that has a smaller install base... But I do want to challenge the idea that you're necessarily making the right decision by trying to appeal to the widest possible install base. It might just be that this is more harmful than is commonly accepted.
mthoms 16y ago
>That is to say, if you assume a) through d) then you assume your app is of little value and you shouldn't be building it. Or, you feel your app is so valuable that it is worth the time and effort making it capable of reaching the widest possible audience. It really depends on the target demographic of your app (technical vs non-technical users).

Alexx 16y ago

I think you're hugely over estimating the competence of a large percentage of internet users.

andrewf 16y ago

I'm definitely assuming (a). I think we have different user stereotypes in mind. I think that lots of people spend little to no time hearing about, or talking about, applications they aren't using already. These are the kinds of people that go to mint.com not because they've heard about it, and are excited about it, but because they typed "track my finances" into Google and it was the first result.

grovulent 16y ago
Well I don't disagree that in one sense you're making your life harder for yourself by adopting a platform that has a smaller install base... But I do want to challenge the idea that you're necessarily making the right decision by trying to appeal to the widest possible install base. It might just be that this is more harmful than is commonly accepted.

mthoms 16y ago

>That is to say, if you assume a) through d) then you assume your app is of little value and you shouldn't be building it. Or, you feel your app is so valuable that it is worth the time and effort making it capable of reaching the widest possible audience. It really depends on the target demographic of your app (technical vs non-technical users).