Dermot Daly Founder & Developer at Tapadoo
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Dermot Daly. I run an mobile apps development company based in Dublin, Ireland called Tapadoo. We develop on iPhone and Android. I'm also co-orgnaiser, with Paul Cambpell of Úll, a conference for iOS and Mac developers and designers held in Dublin.
How did you get started in iOS development?
I finished my previous job with no particular plan. I had just got my first Mac and iPhone and figured it would be fun to try to write an app. I already had 20 years of development experience, but hadn't ever written code in Objective-C. My idea was to develop a screen-scraping app which would interact with Ireland's white pages app. I wrote it start to finish in a couple of weeks. My developer account took a few weeks to get through, as I hadn't filled in a State when signing up, but when the app launched, it went #1 in Ireland 3 days later. It stayed there for 6 weeks.
I realised then that it had given me the buzz which I had when programming as a teenager. I really enjoyed the process, and the immediate feedback from reviews and so forth. I also realised that this was going to be big, and it may be a potential business. So I started Tapadoo.
Actually, that app had to be pulled later for legal reasons. But that's another story.
What does your computer and workspace setup look like while developing?
As the guy who runs the company, development is now not my primary task now, so I don't need the best machine in the company. Everyone in Tapadoo has a 27" iMac and a second screen. Personally, I use a MacBook Air, and a 27" Cinema Display. The office has an Airplay system linked to an amp and speakers; I get to control the music!
We also run a Mac Mini which is used to host our Bug Database (we use YouTrack) and our continuous integration server (based on TeamCity). All of our builds build direct from source control, and get deployed to our web server. This way, once a project is up and running, clients have visibility of the latest build.
My MacBook Air is the best computer I've ever owned. It is light, the battery lasts so well, and is super fast thanks to the SSD. It's also ideal for WWDC trips, client visits and the like.
Tapadoo works with some great clients across Europe. What made you want to found a mobile software development company instead of taking your skills to work for someone else?
As I mentioned, I've been in the software business over 20 years. I've worked in corporates, startups, and everything in between; I realised some time back that smaller focused companies are where I prefer to be. But, as my career progressed, I often felt, "I can do my bosses job just as well". At some point, I was essentially reporting to the CEO, and I guess becoming my own boss was the next logical step. It is very demanding work; There's nothing like the salary bill to focus the mind, but I wouldn't have it any other way now. Knowing that the buck actually stops here is both daunting and rewarding. My only regret now is I believe I should have done this sooner.
I always point out to people that everyone still has a boss. When you run your own company, you are still responsible to your customers; you replace a single boss for many bosses that are your clients.
Working with projects from beginning to end, do you have a favorite stage of app development and creation?
I'm a developer at heart, so I'd have to say developing and debugging. I particularly enjoy developing APIs. I think this is a true test of a programmer. When developing APIs you have to think forward, and think about how best to provide the programmer with the building blocks to utilise your module. When done right, it always feels so neat and tidy. This I find most rewarding.
I like to debug, because I think I'm good at it; I've got a super team of developers at Tapadoo, but once in a while I like to help out with difficult problems, it makes me think that I can still the show the younger guys a thing or two. Mind you, this seems to be occuring less and less!
Lately, I've found that wireframing can be very rewarding. I hate starting it though, and usually find a reason to procrastinate. However there comes a point where you feel you've hit a tipping point, and the screens start to work well together. I love getting to this point, but I do find it hard work.
Finally, what is your favourite app?
I'm gonna cheat and give you two. One is an app we developed ourselves to scratch our own itch. Its called My Dublin Bus and gives real time bus information for Dublin City. I like it because we threw out all of the obvious ways to provide this information in favour of something which is playful and fun to use. But, my reasons for it being a favourite extend beyond that. I commute using the bus every day, so I get to use a Tapadoo app twice a day, every work day. I get to use the app in a meaningful way and that makes me happy. Also, I spotted that my Dad had downloaded it to his iPad. This made me feel proud.
The second app that's my favourite is the Sky+ app (Sky+ is a Tivo-like service in Europe). I like this because it epitomises a great mobile app in my mind. I rarely need to use it, but on those occasions that I need it, it is super useful. I may be out and about and I see and advertisement for a show I meant to record. I pull out the app, find the show, tap record and for some magic reason that I've not bothered to try to understand, it records it on my Sky+ box at home. I often use this app as an example in talks I give to help dispel the misconception that a great app is something used each and every day. Whilst this may point to a useful app, it isn't the only criteria. Usefulness, and providing usefulness in a pleasing way is what makes an app great in my mind.