Taking software for granted

We take most for granted, especially the tools we use on our phones and computers.

Building great tools take a lot of effort, many people, and tons of small iterations to make it better. Since most of them are delivered for free, we lost the connection to make sense of the real cost, which ends up being cheaper when paid in cash instead of paying with your information (google), your time (games), or your mental health (apps with feeds).

Losing this sense of value is a real problem for the software industry. Most people think they can build Twitter, Facebook, or Google, using no-code tools or whatever free new tool on the Internet. Instead, we will see more software and tools charging money from the start, not trying to hide the real cost for the users, ending in better tools supported by viable businesses.

Take care of your software. If there is a way to pay for it, do so. Please don't settle for using everything for free; pay for it and ask for a great product.