The discussion centers on the phenomenon of software awards scams, where developers receive numerous accolades for products that are often non-functional. A developer shared their experience of winning 16 awards for a software that does not operate, highlighting the deceptive nature of these awards. The consensus is that these awards primarily serve to drive traffic to the awarding sites rather than genuinely recognize quality software. This issue has been noted in forums such as Joel on Software and Slashdot, indicating a broader concern within the developer community.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for software developers, product managers, and marketing professionals who are navigating the landscape of software awards and seeking to understand their implications on product credibility and consumer perception.
"I put out a new product a couple of weeks ago.
This new product has so far won 16 different awards
and recommendations from software download sites.
... I should be delighted at this recognition of the
quality of my software, except that the ’software’ doesn’t even run."