It's such a big while that I spend time in my life with Symbian programming. I must admit that I hated it quite much at the first time I tried to develop application on it since the language was damn hard!! But when the time passed, I learned a lot from Symbian C++ programming. It taught me what real OOP (Oriented Object Programming) is and also taught me how to optimize application for mobile device to utilize limited device resources (RAM and Battery) using C++, pointer and etc.
In the other words,... Symbian make me to be well-known Sittiphol Phanvilai till nowaday. So, thanks.
But every good thing went worse (or may be worst actually) when Symbian decided to limit feature since Symbian 9.0 (or Series 60 3rd Edition) using Symbian Signed because of Virus and malware problem happened in Symbian 7.0s and 8.0a platform. That time, more than 80% of Symbian developers said Goodbye to this powerful platform because Symbian Signed process cost a lot of money and time which obviously NOT affordable for freelance developer. It's non-sense to spend 250 USD per year to develop and publish freeware, agree? Moreover, you can't do Symbian Signed process individually but you have to do it in the name of Company ONLY. That means if you are freelance developer and has no your own company, you are NOT welcome to develop Symbian app!!! Damn! Worst policy ever!!
Since then, I define Symbian as platform that hard to develop and extremely hard to distribute application.
And till now, nothing change. :(
IMO, Symbian is such a powerful platform with wonderful core system but... OS owner has no view point how to manage it efficiently. I really wonder why Symbian has to limit feature using Symbian Signed even though there are so many other choices to deal with malware issues for example, just mention user what application will do thing on their phones. It's standard method that every OS use, but why Symbian choose to do Symbian Signed way? I don't understand. :(
The worst thing that I feel very bad with Symbian and Nokia is Launching of Ovi Store. I was very happy those time when I knew that Nokia was developing Ovi Store but when I knew the policy, I can't say anything but "F**k Sh*t!!". That time, I know that Nokia didn't care freelance developer even bit although freelance developer is the main part that push the OS forward.
So... why freelance developer like me still has to care Symbian...?
From all those reasons, me, Sittiphol Phanvilai, who is globally know as Symbian Programmer is also considering to say goodbye to Symbian soon.
I want to say to Symbian and Nokia for the last time that if you don't remove these non-sense policy, you will lose the OS war... Actually in case you don't know yet, you lose it already... The number of active devices in market didn't indicate anything, but the growth does.
Dear Nokia, if this blog can open your eye more, let compare your policy and result with iPhone and Android. You will see what wrong with you and what you should improve and make wrong things right! The keyword is quite easy, "Save The Freelance Developer, Save Symbian". Believe me, big company may help you to gain money but freelance developer will help you to make OS survive. Let me ask, what's more important?
This is only step 1 of my officially goodbye to Symbian. I will still do programming in Symbian for a bit more time but if thing still doesn't get better, I will go to step 2, Real Goodbye. Nokia, I just want you to know that I still cheer Symbian from its effectiveness. No any other phone OS can beat it but your (Symbian and Nokia) closed and conservative policy will kill it.
At last, I wanna say that "The Nokia's biggest enemy is not Chinese phone or any Mobile OS but Nokia itself"... so please fix it or prepare to be lost...