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Frankly the only Mac App store apps that I have bought are Apple branded apps, and that's because that is the only place to get them. When I look for a new app

by abruzzi 12y ago

Frankly the only Mac App store apps that I have bought are Apple branded apps, and that's because that is the only place to get them. When I look for a new app, the Mac App store is the absolute last place I look. The iOS mentality of apps simply does jive with how I use a computer, a tablet maybe, but not a desktop/laptop.

hashtag 12y ago
I've found some great apps that were Mac App Store ONLY options, at least as far as I could tell at the time. That said, by default I generally find apps via recommendations, random packaged deals, or via their website so I don't necessarily "go looking" for them in the Mac App Store either. All of the above mentioned apps that I found that were App Store only falls into this category. If there is an option for both (App Store and direct purchase), usually what I do is check if there is a price difference (usually not but some times can be). Go with the lower price. If there is no price difference, I go with the Mac App Store version, then proceed to email the developer/company with proof for a copy of the non-Mac App Store version anyway. Usually this isn't a problem. I agree with everyone about the whole sandboxing issues and how frustrating it can be, but I definitely recommend taking a look at the App Store anyway as a user. You never know what you're missing out on.
webwielder 12y ago
I love the Mac App Store. No worrying about licenses, zip files, DMGs, or updates. The Featured tab always highlights some cool app I wasn't aware of. Aside from these kinds of developer headaches, I think it's a huge win for the platform.
- tonyedgecombe 12y ago
  It isn't healthy to have one organisation become the gate keeper for all the 3rd party software.
  - noir_lord 12y ago
    It is pretty healthy for the gatekeeper though and I think that is the problem.
LeafyGreenbriar 12y ago
I also typically look outside the app store first for a couple of reasons: 1. I've gotten burned more than once when developers have placed major updates to their apps in the app store as separate products, requiring me to pay full price for an update to an app I already own, whereas I would have been able to purchase them for an upgrade price if I'd bought it directly from the developer. 2. I prefer the flexibility of purchasing through the developer. I use homebrew cask and love being able to install things that way. Also, developers occasionally sell cross-platform licenses if you buy from them directly.
fredsted 12y ago
I try to exclusively use the Mac App Store. Only when I can't find something close to what I want to do, I have to give up and search Google. There are so many advantages to using Mac App Store. • I don't need to worry about some app stealing my private files or similar. • If it isn't good, I can leave a review that the author probably reads and cares about. • I don't have to hunt for executables and make sure I have the license file in my mailbox whenever I want to use my copy on one of my other machines.
- lyndonh 12y ago
  > I don't need to worry about some app stealing my private files or similar This is highly unlikely. But I estimate a probability of 0.7 that you don't have notable security protecting your computer and your top secret files, even though your machine is on the net. > If it isn't good, I can leave a review that the author probably reads and cares about Most (any decent) 3rd party software developers have some kind of feedback channel.

by abruzzi 12y ago

hashtag 12y ago

I've found some great apps that were Mac App Store ONLY options, at least as far as I could tell at the time. That said, by default I generally find apps via recommendations, random packaged deals, or via their website so I don't necessarily "go looking" for them in the Mac App Store either. All of the above mentioned apps that I found that were App Store only falls into this category. If there is an option for both (App Store and direct purchase), usually what I do is check if there is a price difference (usually not but some times can be). Go with the lower price. If there is no price difference, I go with the Mac App Store version, then proceed to email the developer/company with proof for a copy of the non-Mac App Store version anyway. Usually this isn't a problem. I agree with everyone about the whole sandboxing issues and how frustrating it can be, but I definitely recommend taking a look at the App Store anyway as a user. You never know what you're missing out on.

webwielder 12y ago

I love the Mac App Store. No worrying about licenses, zip files, DMGs, or updates. The Featured tab always highlights some cool app I wasn't aware of. Aside from these kinds of developer headaches, I think it's a huge win for the platform.

tonyedgecombe 12y ago
It isn't healthy to have one organisation become the gate keeper for all the 3rd party software.
- noir_lord 12y ago
  It is pretty healthy for the gatekeeper though and I think that is the problem.

LeafyGreenbriar 12y ago

I also typically look outside the app store first for a couple of reasons: 1. I've gotten burned more than once when developers have placed major updates to their apps in the app store as separate products, requiring me to pay full price for an update to an app I already own, whereas I would have been able to purchase them for an upgrade price if I'd bought it directly from the developer. 2. I prefer the flexibility of purchasing through the developer. I use homebrew cask and love being able to install things that way. Also, developers occasionally sell cross-platform licenses if you buy from them directly.

fredsted 12y ago

I try to exclusively use the Mac App Store. Only when I can't find something close to what I want to do, I have to give up and search Google. There are so many advantages to using Mac App Store. • I don't need to worry about some app stealing my private files or similar. • If it isn't good, I can leave a review that the author probably reads and cares about. • I don't have to hunt for executables and make sure I have the license file in my mailbox whenever I want to use my copy on one of my other machines.

lyndonh 12y ago
> I don't need to worry about some app stealing my private files or similar This is highly unlikely. But I estimate a probability of 0.7 that you don't have notable security protecting your computer and your top secret files, even though your machine is on the net. > If it isn't good, I can leave a review that the author probably reads and cares about Most (any decent) 3rd party software developers have some kind of feedback channel.