With 90-95% of the PC market, I would say that, the biggest platform for usage, right now, is the Windows platform, and Apple’s Macs are a very distant second. I wouldn’t use the car analogy for comparing the computer market, since, the Windows auto equivalent would have to include the Toyotas and the Nissans and the Subarus and the Fords and the Chevys and the GMs and the Hyundais and the Hondas and the VWs and the Chryslers and just about every other manufacturer out there, while, the Apple line would probably be the BMW and perhaps a couple of other Luxury makes. Remember that, Windows computers come from many different manufacturers. While Apple may be making loads of money from their lineup, their market share of computers is tiny in comparison to Windows.
When it comes to smartphones and tablets, I wouldn’t target any one of them, since, it’s such a volatile market, and, what’s up today, could just as easily be down tomorrow, and it’s going to be years before that market settles and we learn who the winners and loser end up being. A generic design, if at all possible, is what I would prefer, and then just try to tweak for the different platforms. My preferred approach is to “write once, run anywhere”.
When it comes to the Windows phone market, it would be very foolish for anyone to discount the Microsoft entry, since, they’ve been known to come from behind and take over any market they insist is theirs to own, like they did with the XBox and the Office software market, and which they also did with computer OSes, and with web browsers. I can see WP8 being a major player within 2 years, and perhaps taking the lead shortly thereafter. They’ve got the resources to compete better than any other company, and that includes Apple and Google, since, Microsoft has the biggest development staff, and the widest variety of experience. That’s not to sound fanboyish, but, more on the practical side. However, like I said, I wouldn’t be targeting any single platform. And, btw, when it comes to the UI, that’s where your suggestions for breaking up the criteria screen would be most helpful, since those smartphone screens wouldn’t be able to accommodate so much data and so many boxes.
Yes, OS X Desktop has a small overall marketshare because Apple doesn't play in the bargain computer niche. Apple instead plays in the high-end niche, where it rules. But if you want to talk in terms of most customers for your tool, Windows is it (well, remember, there are various target environments when programming for Windows, and choosing some can eliminate chunks of that population).
When it comes to smartphones and tablets, I wouldn’t target any one of them, since, it’s such a volatile market, and, what’s up today, could just as easily be down tomorrow
Then you'll miss the boat. The market settled on Android and iPhone a while back. It's been five years. Microsoft quit being a viable competitor not long after the iPhone came out, and Blackberry is now dying. Microsoft is about to give a third try at changing that. Third time's a charm?
My preferred approach is to “write once, run anywhere”.
Good luck. I got in on Java in the late 90s on that promise. It never delivered. It doesn't really deliver on the Web either, with all those desktop and mobile browsers that can't really do web-standard applications (and, no, Safari isn't in that list).
When it comes to the Windows phone market, it would be very foolish for anyone to discount the Microsoft entry, since, they’ve been known to come from behind and take over any market they insist is theirs to own, like they did with the XBox and the Office software market, and which they also did with computer OSes, and with web browsers
Let's see where we are with that. Office is doing well. Windows isn't doing very well. Millions are buying iPads instead of laptops nowdays. Windows on mobile is basically non-existent. IE is down around 15% now.
Microsoft already did their big-boy shove into the mobile space. It worked for a while, and Microsoft was actually putting out a competitive system. Then it died. Twice. What you are hoping is that Microsoft, no longer even being the big boy in town (Apple is bigger), can shove it through. But there is no monopoly power to leverage anymore -- Microsoft actually has to compete.
They’ve got the resources to compete better than any other company, and that includes Apple and Google, since, Microsoft has the biggest development staff, and the widest variety of experience.
Microsoft has talent. But as I've shown you, that talent is choked by incompetent management. They could have a thousand modern Wozniaks and Ives, but it won't do a damn bit of good when creativity is stifled. Even now, if you look at the larger picture, Windows 8 for ARM is a REACTION. Sure, it may end up being technically brilliant, but it's still a reaction to Apple's ingenuity. Apple showed them the way and management was forced by reality to allow the brilliant engineers to follow Apple's lead. But no more, they were not allowed to really innovate, do something all-new, market-changing. This is a reactionary move to protect the god Windows.
Remember, Microsoft management KILLED mobile touch-based computing when their own engineers tried to push it, years before Apple started work on the iPhone.
I can see WP8 being a major player within 2 years, and perhaps taking the lead shortly thereafter.
Here's the problem: You and I are thinking about the current market. Apple's probably already thought the next step ahead. While Microsoft was trying to figure out how to match the iPod, Apple came out with the iPhone. Then while Microsoft was trying to match that, Apple came out with the iPad. Now Microsoft is trying to match the iPad, and ... well, you see the pattern. So WP8 may actually get marketshare in the smart phone market as seen today, what's left of it at least.
And, btw, when it comes to the UI, that’s where your suggestions for breaking up the criteria screen would be most helpful, since those smartphone screens wouldn’t be able to accommodate so much data and so many boxes.
CSS is your friend here. If you write the page code right, you can create completely different pages just by substituting the CSS. To get an idea, check out the CSS Zen Garden. Every page there is actually the same exact HTML code, with the exception of which style sheet it points to.