The new tiered webOS developer program gives devs a belt 35
Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:14 pm EDT 
We’ve all heard of the black belt developer. The one that can take a jumble of characters and whip a breathtaking app out of seeming nothingness. Yeah, you know the ones. But what were they before they became these code ninjas? If you ask HP’s webOS Developer Program, they’d tell you that brown and green come before black. That’s the essence of the new three-tier developer program that HP recently unveiled, with scaling benefits the higher up the chain a developer goes.
Developers qualify for the various belts in a number of ways, including “qualifying apps” (junk apps apparently don’t count), general experience, workshops, and community contributions. Those belts net the developer all sorts of benefits, ranging from discounts on developer devices, priority support, loaner testing devices, marketing funds, and more. The whole skinny is after the break.
We have to applaud HP for stepping up the developer program game. And we have to say, we like the tiered system that gives perks like a named account manager and 50% developer discount on the HP TouchPad to loyal and accomplished developers.
Developer Qualifications
|
|
webOS |
webOS |
webOS |
|
Number of Qualifying Apps in Catalog* |
1+ |
5+ |
10+ |
|
Mobile/Web Experience |
Beginner/Intermediate |
Intermediate/Expert |
Expert |
|
Completed webOS workshop or similar training session |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Active webOS community contributor** |
No |
No |
Yes |
* Not all of a developer's apps in the App Catalog will necessarily qualify toward this program. Apps are qualified on the basis of average ratings, revenue/downloads, and app quality.
** Activity will be qualified on the basis of forum participation, hosting of and contribution to webOS-related events, social media outreach, and other webOS evangelism activities.
Developer Benefits
|
|
webOS |
webOS |
webOS |
|
Graphic badge for use in marketing materials |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Access to Developer Asset Kit |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Access to “Developer-Event-in-a-Box” kit |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Tech support service level |
Forums |
Forums/email |
Forums/email/priority support |
|
Access to marketing development funds |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Access to HP co-marketing opportunities |
Select |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Number of devices at 25% discount per quarter* |
2 |
3 |
- |
|
Number of Devices at 50% discount per quarter* |
- |
- |
6 |
|
10% loyalty discount |
>2 years in AC |
>2 years in AC |
>2 years in AC |
|
Loaner devices/quarter** |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Named account manager |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Qualifies for Developer Certification |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Source: HP webOS Developer Center
35 Comments
Hayeeeeah!
Sounds good, but the qualify apps seems a little subjective, especially "app quality."
Are they going to manually review every application on a quality basis to determine if it counts? Seems like it might not scale very well.
I think they're just trying to make sure that certain devs which release effectively the same app fifty times don't get undue priority over a dev that releases ten solid differentiated apps.
I just don't see an issue with them reserving the right to disqualify people who abuse the system.
Well, they are giving privileges, not rights. Developers aren't owed that from HP, so if HP gives something to someone, that's there dang choice, no one else.
Just hope, that they do not only look at the official HP app catalog, but at the Homebrew / pre|central / Preware app catalog as well.
Because, that's where a big portion of very fundamental work is being made.
And where even the HP webOS team is grabbing some stuff (ideas / code?) to implement into webOS!
I am proud to be a webOS green belt.
-- Rod Whitby
-- WebOS Internals Founder and Lead
I think few people like Rod, Jason, Meta should be made black belt directly as they are experts and have contributed a lot towards the community. I hope H/P does that.
I think this is a fantastic program--I haven't yet put anything into the app catalog (or released any of my code) but I'm glad to see some programatic differentiation & perks for people like Rod and any others who *really* deserve it by making webOS as awesome as it is.
I think Rod deserves much more than just a green belt (or even a black belt).
This perfectly illustrates the problem. Deciding who gets the best support based only on the number of apps isn't a good idea. It's obvious that a dev with one or two high quality, flagship apps deserves priority over one with lots of low quality apps. This system apparently doesn't account for such a likely scenario.
My problem with this is that they're making support dependent on belts. Support was already pretty bad (especially if you decided to support "legacy" devices along with the Veer and Pre3 as a Mojo dev), but instead of improving support for everyone, they're making it easier on themselves by restricting priority support to black belts. Green belts only get forums support, which is hit or miss (roughly 40% chance your question gets resolved). Brown belts get email support, which from my experience is also pretty bad (sent in a request last month and took them until a few days ago to respond). So you see the people who need support the most, those new to the platform with a few apps, will not get support. HP webOS Developer Relations will only bother with that elite group that has a black belt.
Seems to me that between choosing to expand their developer relations staff and focusing support on fewer people, they chose the latter.
It's interesting. When I was in the early access program, I had access to a named person for support. With most of my requests, I was told "can you please post that to the forums?" Very few issues were resolved directly by my support contact.
I hope HP does a better job at this.
*****
Seems to me that between choosing to expand their developer relations staff and focusing support on fewer people, they chose the latter.
*****
Agreed.
You probably got the poor support because you didn't qualify for black belt (like myself), although I have noticed that Enyo devs generally get better support than Mojo devs (even though Mojo devs will be more important to the Pre3, since they don't even know when the Pre3 will get Enyo).
This was part of the early access in 2009 (before Enyo, before PDK, before the Pre was even released). There were only a few of us (relatively speaking) in the program.
Like I said, I hope HP does a better job.
Palm/HP had already been giving half the app community the cold shoulder with the early access programs and setting up hurdles to developer growth. Hard to see those white and yellow belts getting bowled over by tiers, when resources on other O/S's are more open and come complete with market demand. Considering WebOS needs a lot of new developers, seems silly to make them feel like they need to pay their dues to be on even footing, especially while there still is no financial synergy for good results. But what do I know, I didn't spend 1.2B high tech jumbo jet and point it into the ground.
HP, you are cleared to land, where ever you choose.
Hi webOS developers-
The goal of the program is to provide the optimal support for developers who have been with us for a while, as well as new developers just checking things out. We are increasing our DTS support staff and have been adding resources across all of Dev Rel, actually.
We listened to the community who expressed a desire to have increased support for those who have multiple apps in the catalog - which we think this does. We are not lessening support at all, we are increasing what we can offer and doing it based on the feedback we have heard.
We are working to put in place a database, problem tracking system, for access to all developers. We hope to have that up and going in early fall - we're testing a few systems out now.
As always, if you have comments or ideas, we're listening. You can email us directly or post them in the forums, here or on our dev site.
Thanks for your support -
Richard
I hope you keep supporting developers by hiring more helpers and also bring on main steam apps like netflix, opera mini, chase, a working kindle etc. A good place to start would be to hire some more of the homebrew or give outsourced jobs to all the homebrew in other countries like Rod in Australia, Jason in Canada, Meta in Germany
That's an excellent suggestion. The best homebrew developers obviously have the talent to do mainstream apps and probably would be excited to contribute as outside contractors. There also should be an exceptional contributor "honorary blackbelt" status like giving it to Rod Whitby, Jason, etc.
How long have you been "working to put in place a database" for tracking bugs and other issues? Since before you were in charge of Developer Relations, Mr. Kerris. Can't tell you how many times (especially in early access) I've seen devs post duplicate bugs, other devs asking for a way to let devs track bugs, and developer relations giving back the same standard response that they are "working to put in place a database" accessible to all developers.
That is just another empty promise which you are very good at making. We've heard the same thing for a long time with no result. You (and developer relations) can talk the talk, but have been chronically incapabable of walking the walk.
The community has expressed a desire for increased support, not just for developers who have multiple apps in the catalog, but for ALL developers. The most glaring example I can think of (which is STILL not resolved to my knowledge) is the media indexer bug that cripple's Music Player Remix. Dan has pretty much given up trying to get support from you guys. Since only has three apps in the catalog (two of them are trial versions), he would only qualify for "green belt" level support, which, given that Music Player Remix was one of the most popular homebrew apps and was highly anticipated for the catalog, is just not enough. Forum support has not worked for him, and he has not been able to get priority support (you need 10 apps for that, right?).
I'm not saying you're lessening support, just focusing it on a much smaller group of developers, instead of everyone which is sorely needed. This nonsense of forums/email/priority has to go. EVERYONE needs to be given priority support.
Very well said.
Im not a big fan of this. Think about who's not considered a black belt because you have to have 10 qualifying apps
Rod Whitby: Preware Homebrew Documentation
Jamie Hatfield: drPodder
James Harris: Gps Fix, ZIP Code Tools, Anonymous Texter, Jewels, FlashCards, FlashCards Lite, Free Music Ringtones
Kevin Foreman: PowerNap, Dealert, Catchwords
the list goes on an on. But all im saying is these types of developers deserve to be webos black belts, and none of them are.
Don't forget Hedami/DanPLC: MUSIC PLAYER REMIX, Geo Strings, and Quick Post. Music Player Remix is one of the most popular apps in homebrew, and Dan is one of the few devs I know who can get five stars on all of his apps. But because he only has three apps, he only qualifies for green belt support, so the severe system bugs crippling his apps have no resolution, despite the fact that he has repeatedly been assured that those are bugs that can be resolved with a catalog app instead of a full OTA update.
These rankings are just really shortsighted, both with level of support and app number being used to qualify ranking.
I agree, there are a lot of really great developers who deserve to be ranked at the top.
agree. zhephree is a black belt in my opinion. :) maybe HPalm needs to revise the first criteria to be swappable with downloads... But by those standards Rovio would be considered black belts and as a Pre - owner who got the shaft on AB updates i would disagree
Yeah, but considering HP/Palm themselves also shafted you on updates, I don't think that would matter to them...
We have been on the database evaluations for a little over a month. We have evaluated two of them and have two more to go.
I think the idea of revising the program so that popular downloads qualifies for a higher rating is a good one. Thanks for that.
On the 'media indexer bug that cripple's Music Player Remix' - I'll get the status on this and post, or you can email me directly. Thanks for bring this to my attention.
Richard
Dan had already brought this Music Player Remix problem to your attention months ago. You probably forgot about it since he would only qualify for a green belt anyway (today's green belts previously being devs you didn't care about).
Way back in March they tried to get awareness out about the bug. Supposedly an HP rep contacted Dan at that time.
http://forums.precentral.net/hedami/278650-i-need-help-serious-webos-bug...
Back in March it had already been a problem for almost a month. You had also been head of Developer Relations for almost a month.
Then in May Dan tweeted to you the problem, and back then you told him you would look at it, but look where we are now.
http://forums.precentral.net/hedami/278650-i-need-help-serious-webos-bug...
SO this should've been brought to your attention at least twice in the last six months. Why do I have no confidence that any progress has been made on this bug?
I've had my own problems getting help from developer relations in general (mentioned in that same forum thread I linked to). The reason why I highlight Dan's problems is because at least with the problem I'm experience my app still works for people, with Dan's problem his app becomes useless.
The bug you speak of has been fixed:
DFISH-22563; jira shows it as fixed in Duval 3561 - the upcoming OTA which is being tested now.
As a developer you will receive the pre-release of this OTA ahead of final release, please check it out and see if it is indeed resolved. Dan will get it too.
Thanks
When you say upcoming OTA, do you mean the Touchpad OTA, or is there a 2.x OTA coming out for Pre 2 and Veer (because these were the originally affected devices).
Kerris, you should read this:
http://forums.precentral.net/hedami/276827-music-player-remix-2-0-a-26.h...
You've probably lost MANY developers to similar circumstances. You've been in charge of developer relations for six months and this is what results of it. Turns out there was ANOTHER media bug (this time media permissions) that can cripple Music Player Remix and other music apps.
I am very disappointed in you Kerris.
I feel the need to thank Mr. Kerris for posting a response at 11pm on Sunday. Say what you will about the lack of service, this is not nothing. Let's all remember why we get so upset...because we love WebOS so much.
I don't know about you, but I get upset because of all the times I've wanted/needed help from developer relations with a problem that is losing me money and developer relations gives me the cold shoulder. I got upset about Dan's problem because that problem was really losing him money, his app essentially became useless. I'd say I love webOS less since Mr. Kerris took over developer relations, and I really hope what he has done here is not just something he does to calm people down momentarily and distract them from the real problem: That developer relations is not good, has not been good for a long time, and will not be good judging from little stunts like this belt program.
Instead, I really hope this really does mean developer relations will improve, but again, I don't have much confidence that will happen, given my history (and the history of many devs I've talked to) with developer relations.
P.S. While I do appreciate the response, why did I have to wait until a Precentral post? Oh right, because I (or rather, the company I develop for) would only qualify for a green belt with the one app, despite the fact that this particular app does have a lot of downloads.
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How about giving devs "belt credit" for loyalty. Seems that if someone has only a few apps and would not normally qualify for brown or black belts, but they regularly update and have a current functioning app, they should be recognized by awarding higher belt status and should be able to climb to black belt status easier. Give the current loyal WebOS developers high status and start the program fresh for new devs. This would be a great effort towards "making it right" too.
Wait, so you mean that $50 credit on the more expensive 32GB Touchpad wasn't enough?