DIY Programming
On his blog, Steven Talcott Smith writes about when Non-programmers write Software. He cites some stories of people creating software to help them do their jobs, some because it seems cheaper to do so, others because there’s just no software around that gives them the functionality they need.
I think all of us programmers have seen this before; in my own circle of friends I know of atleast one non-programmer who’s writing his own document-filing-system. The reason for doing it himself; he has simple needs and no available system can supply him with what he needs for a descent amount of money.
Now I wonder, shouldn’t us “real” programmers fill these kind of gaps by building cheaper, more accessible software?
August 31st, 2007 at 01:38
A ‘non-programmer’, if successful in writing a program, _is_ a programmer. Non-professional maybe, but a programmer nevertheless.
Often the amateur programmer will write a program that suits his/her own needs better than a commercial program. And sometimes us “real” programmers can learn from the ideas of these amateurs. Other times we can chuckle quietly to ourselves when we see their mistakes. Also, helping, when requested to help, will make you a good friend.
But you are correct; there are many niche markets that have not been exploited.