ready-able:

I installed Droplr to try it out. This is the last step of the setup. Fuck no. Don’t treat your users like tools to gain social networking hype.

At least give the users a minute to see if they even like your app before you start begging them to promote your own application (which is the developer’s job by the way).

If you do things like this, people who just want 1GB will do it, and people like me, with standards and expectations of quality software, will not.

Holy hell.

Do they really think this strategy works? Here’s the best-case scenario^*:

Someone whose opinion I respect tweets “I just started using Droplr, the coolest new app for Mac. Check it out at [URL].” I believe them, so I download it and run the installer. Next thing I know, I’m being bribed to post exactly the same prefabricated message.

1. Suddenly I realize that the recommendation I trusted was bought and paid for.
2. I also realize that my friend hadn’t even had a chance to try the app out before recommending it.
3. I feel betrayed by both Droplr and my friend. Regardless of my feelings on the larger issue of social media marketing, there’s an immediate bitter taste in my mouth before I even start using the product.

Way to go, Droplr guys. Maybe next time you can figure out a way to punch your users directly in the face the moment they double-click.

^*Of course, the worst-case scenario is that I’m so put off by the experience that I post about it on my blog. Ta-da.