This is more of a continuation of a post I made about Seeker making it into Tucows. I guess I still had more on my mind and want to get it out.

Most of the software I create ends upbeing submited to numerous shareware websites. Whats funny is when you submit the software and they immediatly give you a 5 star rating. Does anyone actually think this award means something? The only reason for the award is to get you to place a link to their website on your website. The purpose of most shareware websites is to generate revenue through advertisement or increase the visibility of a few applications (sometimes the owner of the website is a developer looking to put his application out there).

Even though the awards are meaningless (like most that are given out by Shareware sites) the increased visibility of your application is invaluable.

There are a couple of exceptions. These are the two websites where it actually means something to get listed.

  • The Great Software List – To get onto this list is no easy task. Zaine Ridling, the website owner / developer / reviewer really puts alot of work into his evaluations of each piece of software. Making it on this list means that you have impressed someone that truly believes in well-developed software.
  • Tucows – Probably the most well know software review website around. Tucows will grade and rate each piece of software on many aspects (from usability to support to interface design) – make they grade and get listed.

I should also mention Softpedia and Snapfiles as they do review a little but know where near the amount as the above.

Check out these posts too:

  1. An award just for being me
  2. Tucows' reputation is slipping away
  3. Tucows has a new homepage
  4. 7 Key Principles That Make A Web Design Look Good
  5. How good is your car on gas?
  6. When cartoons were actually good
  7. MP3 music source too good to be true?