As a developer you want to create cool software get the result out to millions
of users. Unfortunately, to get the code to the user you need to do more than
just the fun stuff (writing code).
You have to compile and package your software for all the patforms and
operating systems you support; then you have to create a nice webpage with
information about the application; create feedback tools like a forum and a
bugreport tool; then promote your app on twitter, facebook and other social
media; get it into a variety of appstores and on your website; and process the
feedback from the user and re-itterate over the whole list of tasks.
The solution: Bretzn
Project Bretzn aims to reduce this cycle to 10 minutes of work with the
following major goals:
Make it easy for developers to release an application
Make it easy for developers to market and for users to learn about that
application
Make it easy for users to install the application
Bretzn does this by providing plugins for development applications like KDevelop
and Qt Creator which builds your application on the open build service;
pushes the result to relevant appstores; and promotes the new release on
social media like twitter and facebook.
The how
Bretzn is an open project, creating an open API (part of the Open
Collaboration Services ) for appstores which makes sure any appstore
could work with this. The project creates several reference implementations,
including a cross-platform (windows, mac and Linux) appstore, a plugin for Qt
Creator and third parties are already integrating support into the MeeGo
appstore. More is on the way!
Current features of the API include categories, screen shots, change logs,
commenting, rating, search and update notification.
Not
all AppStore clients include all features right now, the KDE GHNS client is
probably the most complete as it has been around for many years.
Social features include notifications directly to the desktop using the Social
Desktop API, what my friends like and what my friends develop and
Knowledge Base integration.
Plans for the future
Future plans are to show commits of friends, link to bug trackers so users can
file bugs, allow users to easily test newer versions so developers can gather
feedback and the ability to give donations to developers.
The code is available on Gitorious and
anyone interested in helping out is more than welcome. The team is looking for
integration in other IDEs like Eclipse, NetBeans and MonoDevelop.
But also work on more App Stores, further social media
integration and code cleanup is needed!
