I have an idea for a desktop application...

by 17 replies
21
Hopefully someone here can help me make it a reality!

I have a couple of spreadsheets - organizational type stuff - that I want to turn in to a desktop application. Basically an "address-book" type application, except it's IM related stuff I'd be keeping track of instead of addresses.

Since I know jack squat about programming or software development, I turn to your amazing brains to help me find a way!

Of course, I'll pay, duh. :p

Note: I want to pay someone to develop this software for me so that I can sell it to others.
#programming #dream
  • Here you go, and you don't have to pay a dime.

    Orlando's VBA and Excel Site (Site de VBA e Excel do Orlando)

    Lisa (The Dream Fairy :-)
    • [1] reply
    • Thanks Lisa, but...I don't know what that is supposed to be!
      • [2] replies
  • I'm actually looking to hire someone to develop this software for me so that I can sell it. The problem is that I don't know any of the lingo, so I'm unsure how to convey what it is I want!
    • [1] reply
    • I am afraid it may be time consuming and what follows - expensive - to write such a program from a scratch. There are open source tools for that but they have open source licences. You can sell a program written with these tools but you can not forbid anyone to resell it.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hey Lisa,

    My wife and I live in KY, what part are you moving to? We're in Bowling Green.

    I saw your post of wanting to do a IM management app (from what I can gather). What's your full business plan?

    I've been a programmer for 20+ years, php for the past 8. I currently work on my own sites and am on a contract w/ the NationalGuard (I write web apps that track an applicant's progress through their application).

    I'd like to hear your business plan and see what we can do together to make your dream turn into a reality.

    I look forward to hearing from you soon, feel free to connect w/ me directly.

    Thanks!
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hi Lisa,

    You have three options:

    1. A desktop application. Advantages: fast and secure on your own machine. Disadvantages: information is only stored on your own machine.

    2. A web application. Advantages: can connect from any web browser. Backups don't involve having to back up your own personal machine. Disadvantages: slower to access and not available at all if your Internet connection is down. If you don't have security set up properly, could make your personal information available to others.

    3. A hybrid application: Connects to online storage when the Internet is available, makes a copy on your local machine for use when you aren't online. Could give the best of both worlds, but is trickier to program.

    Do any of these options appeal to you more than the others?

    Chris
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • 3. A hybrid application: Connects to online storage when the Internet is available, makes a copy on your local machine for use when you aren't online. Could give the best of both worlds, but is trickier to program.

      In fact, if you build it with php using mysql database you could create it online then add some desktop functionality / storage rather easily with an Adobe Air application.

      Just my 2 cents from a programming standpoint.

      Welch
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hey, thanks so much you guys for your input! It really helps!

    Richard, I'm PMing you!
    • [1] reply
    • If You still need a help - You can PM me.
  • Check Zoho.com you can turn your spreadsheet to online database application in minutes. no programming required.
  • Hmmm...I'm thinking I would want this to just be a desktop app.

    Zoho is good - it will at least enable me to get a better picture in my mind of what I'd like to do.
  • P.M. me with your exact specifications I might be able to do something with it.
    • [1] reply
    • Lisa,

      I know VB6 and I wrote Knowledge Base Program around an access database in 2002. Since then, I have discovered that by using a PHP ODBC connection, I can get PHP to connect to the Access database making it a hybrid desktop/web app.

      You can feel free to download the trial from my site to get a feel for how it works. There's also little things you can do like customizing certain aspects of the software.

      It probably wouldn't take much work to adapt it to a different niche like IM. Sounds interesting.
  • Brandon, is the ODBC bridge for PHP freely available?

    Your approach sounds like it might be perfect for Lisa G's approach. She could easily Access (no pun intended) her data on either her desktop or through a Web browser.

    Have you made the transition to VB.net, or are you keeping it "old school" with VB6?

    Chris
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    I have an idea for a desktop application...

    Hopefully someone here can help me make it a reality! I have a couple of spreadsheets - organizational type stuff - that I want to turn in to a desktop application. Basically an "address-book" type application, except it's IM related stuff I'd be keeping track of instead of addresses.