5 ms·

Does the world really need yet another Twitter client?

11 points by prpon 16y ago

tmachinecharmer 16y ago
Most definitely NOT! You are absolutely correct!
ZoFreX 16y ago
I'm working on a new to-do list application, and yes I do think the world needs "yet another" one. Are all the Twitter clients out there perfect? Is there one that fits your exact workflow, has all the features you want, and no bugs? If not there is space to innovate. Yes, the market is saturated but if you have a new idea, I say go for it. Even if your "perfect" new Twitter client is only perfect for you, hey, you now have a perfect Twitter client. Odds are, it's perfect for someone else too.
- hermitcrab 16y ago
  if you are writing it for your own use or to learn new skills, then go for it. Just don't expect it to become a commercial success.
rythie 16y ago
Also, do we need another answers site (Quora)? or photo sharing site (Instagram)? or search engine (Blekko, DuckDuckGo)?
Wilfred 16y ago
Yes. Why not? Who does it hurt? I intend to write a Twitter client this year, since existing clients don't meet my needs: * web app * multi-account support * rate-limit noisy accounts * automatic language detection for people who tweet in multiple languages Sure, I'd love to find something that does this already. But I don't think it exists.
- hermitcrab 16y ago
  The blog is aimed at people writing commercial software. If you aren't trying to make any money, then it might not apply. But if you are going to put all that time and effort into something, wouldn't it but good to write something that has a reasonable shot at having lots of users?
codyguy 16y ago
1. Could you point out to a few such niches where there is "real need for software, but limited competition". 2. How does one go about finding such niches?
deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
erikwiffin 16y ago
I think he answers his own question: "it is probably quicker to write your own custom app than it is to try and work out if any of the existing apps fulfils your requirements."

11 points by prpon 16y ago

Most definitely NOT! You are absolutely correct!

I'm working on a new to-do list application, and yes I do think the world needs "yet another" one. Are all the Twitter clients out there perfect? Is there one that fits your exact workflow, has all the features you want, and no bugs? If not there is space to innovate. Yes, the market is saturated but if you have a new idea, I say go for it. Even if your "perfect" new Twitter client is only perfect for you, hey, you now have a perfect Twitter client. Odds are, it's perfect for someone else too.

hermitcrab 16y ago
if you are writing it for your own use or to learn new skills, then go for it. Just don't expect it to become a commercial success.

rythie 16y ago

Also, do we need another answers site (Quora)? or photo sharing site (Instagram)? or search engine (Blekko, DuckDuckGo)?

Wilfred 16y ago

Yes. Why not? Who does it hurt? I intend to write a Twitter client this year, since existing clients don't meet my needs: * web app * multi-account support * rate-limit noisy accounts * automatic language detection for people who tweet in multiple languages Sure, I'd love to find something that does this already. But I don't think it exists.

hermitcrab 16y ago
The blog is aimed at people writing commercial software. If you aren't trying to make any money, then it might not apply. But if you are going to put all that time and effort into something, wouldn't it but good to write something that has a reasonable shot at having lots of users?

codyguy 16y ago

1. Could you point out to a few such niches where there is "real need for software, but limited competition". 2. How does one go about finding such niches?

deleted 16y ago

[deleted]

erikwiffin 16y ago

I think he answers his own question: "it is probably quicker to write your own custom app than it is to try and work out if any of the existing apps fulfils your requirements."