I'm excited to see the SwiftUI update in a couple weeks at WWDC. Last year's demo was incredible but it was still kinda half baked (for complex apps), and requires iOS 13, so I haven't converted any of my apps yet. Looking forward to using it to create some FileMaker-backed runtimes for iPadOS and macOS. I've been developing with regular Swift since its release, but only for iOS.
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I agree. Although you can do some quick "this is cool" type examples right away, it generally takes 3-5 years to become proficient with any new language or environment.
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Depends what you are developing really. I work for myself and I struggle to find contracts - it's a constant battle and the economy is suffering so cost is the decision maker on many contracts right now.
I know I can't make FileMaker development pay the bills so I have to try something else - web apps are a particular area of interest for me.
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That's why I like services...I take my code with me and it works with other software clients. No single-vendor lock-in. 
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Now is definitely a serious struggle for many. I really hope you do well and find what you are aiming for. I truly have nothing but respect. And always available to chat if you want to bounce ideas around.
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My current 'learning list' is focussed around JavaScript, but I think Swift might be next - exactly for the reasons you've outlined. I like the idea of learning complimentary languages, rather than making myself fully 'jump ship' to a whole other platform - mainly because I can still make a few quid doing Filemaker projects whilst I learn other things which may or may not work out as future development paths for me.
SwiftFM looks useful, will bookmark that for when I start learning Swift. Any recommendations for learning Swift? Online resources etc?
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(This client doesn't "Rent" software so the "annual" would be out.)'
In any case, this is moot since the client will stick with technologies like (outdated and obsolete) Visual FoxPro where they pay $0.0 per year for 40 users.
Fortunately, Visual FoxPro supports the MS XMLHTTP OLE control (seriously outdated and limited compared to FileMaker) so we can integrate other tools via REST and SOAP and extend their application that way (again ... with no yearly recurring cost).
So many technologies, so little time! 
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There are a few questions with the renting system
- can we run older versions of fm after a new one came out?
- can we mix versions? (not every Mac is capable to run the latest version of fm, not every one can get the latest os)
- can a developer have access with the full freedom (like 2018/19), ie when a user-license for 15 clients is 'full' (no license available, dev has own license)
- what happens, when the company decides to no longer pay the rent, but has to stay in service for some time, even with just a couple of seats
there will be some more
The last question is a factor here, that companies will buy, not rent! Also for the second question, we got customers who have manufactoring machines in the chain - that allow 10.12...
I'm not sure of your programming background, but Apple has a Swift reference website/book, which is quite good. Apple's stuff is concise and up to date, unlike a lot of posts that might come up in a Google search.
https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/GuidedTour/GuidedTour.html
https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/LanguageGuide/TheBasics.html
https://docs.swift.org/swift-book/ReferenceManual/AboutTheLanguageReference.html
There are also courses on pluralsight.com. Look for Simon Allardice. He has a few Swift and iOS courses there. Some of his courses are a bit outdated (as far as Swift 5), but he's an excellent instructor and the concepts he covers apply just as well to Swift 5. I cut my Swift teeth with Simon way back when he was on Lynda.
And I'm here, as well. I've done some 1-on-1 mentoring for a few devs from the FileMaker community who wanted to branch out. Code review, and all that. We can set something up if you want to go that route.
Hope that helps.
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7 posts were split to a new topic: Talking about licensing
You guys can continue discussing the conundrum op experience with the changes that have impacted his business model.
I just moved the site licensing discussions that applied to cases over 5 users since those are another ball game.
For my part, two things have crossed my mind Mark.
First is... and I am trying to bring this up as a question, not a judgment (trust me I walk in shoes like yours). You mentioned that you might be too technical and not enough salesy... platform cost aside, what seems to make Xojo easier to sell than FileMaker for you?
Will these clients not try to get you to cut down your price to a ridiculous amount? We have this expression in French give them a thumb he’ll leave with the arm (give him an inch he’ll take a foot).
Can you systematise better your work so that you can increase your client base?
Is your expertise transferable to other niche, maybe completely different sector but similar structures?
Can you adapt your product so that you expand the niche a bit?
What passive income can you generate?
Could you redefine your ideal client and find ones that want to pay for the value you bring?
Do your clients drive better cars than you do? Eat at finer restaurants, have bigger houses? If so, you are selling yourself short or dealing with people that have no shame exploiting you until you crumble. Thing is, your business partners should want you to make a good living. Paying the fair value for your services is their guarantee of a long profitable relationship for them as well.
How could you increase or reframe your offer so that its value is more notable?
Can you invest a bit in yourself and take some toastmasters classes or sales boot camp?
Could you take in a marketing or mba student to do a stage and do a business analysis for you and bring a fresh vision to the table?
My second point is the SBA program. I am not familiar with this program but from what I understood, it offers an even better alternative than runtime because you can sell as SaaS, maybe even saving your clients the need to invest in infrastructures since you could host their solution? They would only pay for your product and the licensing would be hidden to them as part of the bundle? Plus they would be able to use the server technology rather then peer to peer or be limited to stand alone runtimes?
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I'll never be a salesperson - I'm very introverted, I've had imposter syndrome for most of my career and had mental health issues back in 2008 that nearly resulted in me taking my own life. My experience has touched every area of IT - networking, server ops, data processing, development, databases, ITILV3 Expert, MCSE, Cisco certified etc etc. I started on Burroughs B930 mini's with 8 inch floppies and band printers (I had to clean the bands every Friday with isopropyl and cotton buds). You name it I've done it.
I was the head IT guy for a medium size business(£25m) back in 2005 who made the decision to implement the new business ERP system (Kerridge). I got to know everything about it and the industries it served - merchants, warehousing, distribution. The software facilitated rapid growth over the next 5 years to £200m per annum - from 6 branches to 38 when I left. It was intense.
Then I had a breakdown. Don't want to discuss specifics but it took me 2 years to recover. This is when I set up my first business - it failed spectacularly!
My current business has been going for about 8 years - only me offering consultancy mainly on the Kerridge product. There Is a market for this as Kerridge is popular in UK and EU and they charge £1200 per day consultancy fees which a large percentage of their customer base cannot afford to pay.
In terms of FileMaker - this has been alongside the Kerridge work but typically developing solutions for areas of the merchants business that the main product ignores. Batch control in warehouse, barcode labelling, mill job scheduling etc. Typically 1-3 users. The issues I face have always been about the costs of the software (even when hidden in my overall costs).
The solutions typically involve databases and need to reside on a server with a client interface be it desktop, mobile or increasingly, web. Xojo would allow me to develop such solutions with no licensing costs, for mobile-desktop-web, albeit with more upfront development costs.
I don't know the answers - I have literally nothing on the order book after the next two weeks. The Covid-19 situation isn't helping - I have to shield as I have some underlying health issues that increase my risk considerably.
I'm just tired of the constant fight to strike the right balance - I'm definitely taken advantage of - always have been. From going into work at 2-4am to change tapes on my first job - on a Saturday evening, Christmas working, interruptions on holidays etc etc etc.
Sigh.
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{
} Here is a huge huge hug!
Thank you for sharing of yourself. It means a lot. And I hope that no matter what you need to do for your business, you find here a place where to meet peers to relate to and get inspired to keep going.
I can relate to a lot of what you share. In June 2018, when I was fired coming back from a 2 month leave for burn out, I have had the hardes time to find work. I've had many moments where I feel like giving up, that I lost the board game and am staying just for the other players to finish their rounds... I am fighting a chronic illness, and the insecurity of seeing myself less alert, less capable, with increasing difficulties to focus, which prevents me from learning as fast as I used to. Going back to my previous career is out of the question so, starting from the bottom of the ladder but with increasingly expensive needs yet a diminished ability to produce income. I struggle to put in 15 hours per week. My moments of total productivity and clarity are unpredictable. I cannot trust myself to deliver on time anymore. My word doesn't mean much anymore... I turned 50, no house, kids, retirement fund. I'm wonderful when I am, the rest of the time I suck.
Anyway. don't want to make this about myself. Just to let you know that I understand because I lived and live it. Feel welcome to reach out if you need to.
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Now, now!
What Cecile is not telling you is that, despite her difficulties, she landed a partnership in 2019. I dare say she was not expecting this. She is a valuable member of our company. She may say she is not as quick to pick up new information, yet she sure is quick to put things into perspective and get me, a stubborn mule, to reconsider choices on a regular basis. I don't know how fast she was, but I think she is plenty fast so far.
Perhaps what puzzles me most so far, and that goes for you too @Mark, is a chronic lack of confidence. You both have skills up the wazoo. You both demonstrate an ability to keep learning. Yet, in Cecile's word, you think you suck. I don't usually say anything when Cecile is self defeating like this. I usually think "bull". Come on! You both have value, lots of value. Thing is… few will believe you do until you believe it yourself.
Let's not kid ourselves. We all lack skills others have. Being self-employed is tough. It's sometime best to partner than to fight alone. I partnered with Cecile because her skills are complimentary to mine. I am suggesting you, @Mark, consider partnering with someone or a group of people who could fill your voids.
Seems Bobby's words are the right ones to say right now… Don't worry, be happy!
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@bdbd - Great post. Wish I could like it twice.
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Reminds me of a tweet I had seen just today... a quote from Ronald Baker.
We all feel at times like we aren't good enough, or skilled enough. Sometimes we need others to remind us otherwise.
Here’s another one that has a free community edition:
https://www.embarcadero.com/products/delphi/starter
And it churns out binaries for Android, too.
Yeah - imposter syndrome is a very difficult condition to cope with. Over a number of years it will cripple you to the point of exhaustion. Post breakdown I had CBT sessions with psychologists to try and develop techniques to deal with this. Not sure they really helped to be fair.
On the other hand:
I've always looked around and thought "how did that person get into that position when I know much more than they do" - I spend all my time developing my skillset yet these people work minimum hours, don't spend time on developing skills, etc.
My issue has always been confidence - everyone I deal with says why do you doubt yourself ? I don't know the answer to that question.
What a lovely post. Thank you.