MacWisdom Systems Programming Services
Overview
MacWisdom Systems is a software developer that is engaged in providing products for the Internet and Macintosh communities.
Our main goals as a company are:
- Provide programming and technical services for the Internet and the Web (including Perl, PHP , and Java scripting).
- Create off-the-shelf software for Macintosh. We develop, market, sell, and support the software, just as we have done with our MacEmulate product, which was released in 1990. We are always looking for new ideas for products that users want, but may not be available for Mac.
- Provide technical consulting and troubleshooting services for Internet related issues and MacOS. See Consulting Services.
Below are four areas of custom software development we provide:
1. Custom Programming - Internet & Web related
We can create just about anything you need for your web site. We can use a combination of various web technologies (PHP, Perl, JavaScript, MySQL, etc.) to create dynamic web sites and web applications. We also provide all of the technical help you might need in setting up a hosting site, setting file permission, configuring CGI scripts, registering and managing domain names, setting up email accounts, email filtering, and most other web hosting needs. Unix/Linux servers are preferred.
2. Custom Programming - Filemaker & 4th Dimension databases
This type of development is directed to end-users who need help designing database systems to perform specialized tasks. Using these methods, the database can be used by Windows or Macintosh computers.
For specialized tasks, you often need to create a custom software solution. Database programs, such as FileMaker and 4th Dimension (or Microsoft Access for Windows), allow a fast and easy way to do this. If you have very specialized needs, and require a very specific type of user interface, you may need a custom solution that is written in low-level programming language, as described in the previous section.
We are experienced with with the best databases available on the Macintosh: FileMaker and 4th Dimension. We can use either database, depending on which one is best suited for the project. MacWisdom Systems uses a custom-written 4th Dimension database to run most of our business operations.
The cost of this type of development depends on the size the project. Most projects can be done on a fixed quote, while some may require hourly billing.
3. Custom Programming - Low Level
This type of development is directed to end-users who need custom applications to perform specialized tasks, and have very specific requirements.
Low-level programming makes it possible to create an application that can do almost anything you want to do with very few limitations. Low-level programming involves using a programming language, such as C++, which lets you dictate exactly how you would like to the program to work. This is different from High-level programming (described in the next section), where you usually use a database program (such as Filemaker) which places some limits on how the program will operate. Most software that is sold to the general public is created with low-level programming for this reason.
If you have you own idea for a program, we can create it for you. Maybe you have already tried using a database program to create it yourself, but have been unhappy with the results. We can create a program that can do whatever you want, with a look-and-feel exactly to your preference. These projects are often quoted at a fixed price, but may also be hourly or quoted in segments, depending on the size and length of the job.
Technical info: We use Apple's XCode/Objective-C/Cocoa development enviroment.
4. Creating Mac versions of Windows-based applications
This type of development is directed to developers of successful Windows-based applications.
The Macintosh is a great computer, but not all software is available for Mac. There are many successful Windows-based programs that have no Mac counterpart. If you are developer of a successful Windows program, you can benefit from having a Mac version of your software. Having a multi-platform product can be one more thing that differentiates you from your competition. Most developers of successful Windows software find that they get continual requests for a Mac version. Having a Mac version means that you can provide an additional solution to your existing customers that have both Mac and PC, and add brand new customers who have Mac only.
There are two ways we can provide you with a Mac version of your software:
- We create the software for a negociated price. You would own the software, market it, sell it, and support it. We would be available to provide future enhancements as you need it.
- We develop the software at no cost to you, and we get a percentage of sales. Since we are capable of fully servicing the software by selling it and providing complete technical support to end-users, we can provide any level of service you wish. The percentage we receive would be based on the level of service we provide. Obviously, we would need to evaluate potential sales and life of the product before we could commit to this method.
We have found the second method of creating the software at no cost is a great opportunity for Windows developers. You may be thinking you don't want a Mac product because you don't know how many units will be sold, or how much it will add to support costs. Our no cost method involves no development cost or effort on your part, and no additional support costs. We can do all the work, and you still get paid a percentage of the sales. You get the benefit of having a Mac version, and get extra revenue for no additional effort. There is no risk; even if the product sales are low, you lose nothing, but still gain some revenue. Our strategy is simple: the marketing efforts of a successful Windows product will easily generate sales of a Mac version. We have already successfully done this once and are looking for more opportunities.