Interview: Dustin MacDonald, Developer Of Wallet

wallet.jpg

We had time to sit down with Dustin MacDonald and ask him a few questions about application development, and how he codes. Keep reading for your chance to win a copy of Wallet.

MacApper: Thanks for joining us Dustin!

Dustin: Thanks for having me.

MacApper: Your most popular application to date has been Wallet, are you planning any major updates to it in the near future?

Dustin: At the moment there are no major updates in the works, mostly because I am working on another new project.

MacApper: Care to elaborate or are you keeping it top secret?

Dustin: Well, right now it’s top secret, but it’s definitely the coolest project I’ve been apart of. Should be released this year.

MacApper: Can’t Wait, You haven’t been coding too long, what has been the highlight of your developing career so far?

Dustin: I’ve been keeping Waterfall Software as a hobby for a while now, but the success of Wallet has definitely been the highlight for me so far.

MacApper: What Mac(s) do you currently use in your office to develop your apps?

Dustin: I have a Core Duo Mac mini that I used to test Universal apps on, but now I also have a MacBook Pro 15″, which has become my main development machine.

MacApper: Speaking of Apple hardware, the iPhone was a big part of this years Macworld, if you could develop an app (existing or new) for the iPhone, which would that be?

Dustin: I’d love to see a trimmed-down version of Wallet on the iPhone obviously, but I think there is lots of room for innovative apps on a phone so I’d have to give it some thought.

MacApper: What can we expect from you in the future?

Dustin: As I mentioned earlier, I’m working on a top secret new project. Those are my only plans as of now.

MacApper: Ok, thanks Dustin for spending the time to answer these questions, and good luck with your new top secret project!

Dustin: No problem. Thanks Jack.

Contest

To celebrate the release of MacApper, we have copies of Dustin’s groundbreaking app Wallet to give away to three (3) lucky readers.

To enter the draw, simply post a comment on this article – we will announce three winners on February the 9th at 12PM EST.

Update: If you like this post, you canDigg it.

Comments

82 Responses to “Interview: Dustin MacDonald, Developer Of Wallet”

  1. Sherb on February 1st, 2007 11:41 pm

    Wallet… What can I say! It’s in my top 3 favorite apps. Can’t wait to see what they come out with next.

  2. Evan Sims on February 2nd, 2007 12:06 am

    Hmmmm, a top secret app. I’m excited to see what Dustin cane come up with next. He’s got talent.

  3. Brian on February 2nd, 2007 12:23 am

    Wallet was one of the first apps on MacZOT and people loved it. It was setting records even then.

  4. Paul Stamatiou on February 2nd, 2007 12:34 am

    I loved the concept of Wallet – it would be awesome if there was some way to interface it with the web.. kinda like uTorrent can have a web interface. Wallet is definitely useful – but not if it’s restricted to only one of my computers.

    What happens if I’m in class and want to buy something I found on slickdeals but I forgot my login info for newegg? Sold out, that’s what. =)

  5. Derek on February 2nd, 2007 1:04 am

    I hate to say this, but to answer Paul’s inquiry about accessing data across multiple computers, check out Yojimbo. The utility offers far more than simple serial number archiving. It handles notes, links, images, and pdf versions of web pages. On top of all that, it includes .Mac support for syncing across machines.

    I used to be a wallet user, but I guess the multi-tasker in me opted for something a little more robust.

  6. Glenn Wolsey on February 2nd, 2007 1:09 am

    Derek, on the topic of Yojimbo – I discovered it last week and it’s now an essential tool in my dock. I couldn’t live without it, the way I can add things to it’s database by hitting one key and seeing a pop-up dialog is awesome. I also have a Safari bookmarklet installed so I can create web archives with the click of a button.

  7. luca on February 2nd, 2007 2:22 am

    Hi there,
    great blog. I’ll take a look at Wallet. thanks

  8. Brett Elliff on February 2nd, 2007 2:49 am

    I had not heard of Wallet until finding MacAppr. It does look like a solid app so I am taking a look at it. Thanks for some 411 guys! :)

  9. Jack Sauer on February 2nd, 2007 2:52 am

    Anytime, join the RSS Feed and we will bring a bunch of app news your way!

  10. Matthias McGregor on February 2nd, 2007 2:53 am

    Hi everyone, I just read about you on Paul’s site and it seems you are off to a very strong start.

    Wallet seems like a clever app, but what would really make it brilliant is if you could access your passwords away from your PC (like .mac safari bookmarks for example).

  11. Glenn Wolsey | MacApper Launches on February 2nd, 2007 3:01 am

    [...] mark the launch of MacApper we have published our first interview with Dustin MacDonald, developer of the popular password management application Wallet. We are [...]

  12. Fredrik MÃ¥rtensson on February 2nd, 2007 3:16 am

    Wallet seems really nice, although when looking at it, it lacks some key features. I do a lot of browser swapping (mostly between Safari and Camino) since some websites don’t play nice in one browser while working in the other and vice versa. Though there are a bunch of things I don’t like about 1passwd, it solves one thing that wallet lacks: the ability to have passwords stored in one place, but accessable from all the browsers. Besides that, it looks good and I just might take it for a spin (at least if that multibrowser support get there).

  13. Peter Rehm on February 2nd, 2007 3:28 am

    his next project will be very interesting, im sure!

    but we all have to wait :)

  14. Niels K on February 2nd, 2007 3:29 am

    Sure looks good, the app Wallet.
    Gonna give it a try and hope to win a license :)

  15. Aleksander R on February 2nd, 2007 3:31 am

    Hi! Excellen idea for such blog! Wallet is very interesting, too!

  16. Niklas N on February 2nd, 2007 3:51 am

    I can’t wait for the top secret project to be revealed!
    I find the widget very useful!

  17. Jack Sauer on February 2nd, 2007 4:13 am

    We can’t wait either, and rest assured we will be the first to post about it!

  18. wph on February 2nd, 2007 4:15 am

    I can’t wait for what’s next. Wallet is good, but I don’t have much use for it. Maybe the next app will be a better fit.

  19. Yannic on February 2nd, 2007 4:42 am

    a good satrt for this blog. We’ll see his top-secret project. I’m excited

  20. nsn700 on February 2nd, 2007 4:43 am

    Wallet is the app i’m looking for! And if you can use the ipod with it i’m speechless.

  21. Steven Owens on February 2nd, 2007 4:56 am

    WOW! Another great app from Dustin…I couldn’t imagine what would be better than Wallet!

  22. Muhammad K on February 2nd, 2007 5:23 am

    The first giver away, I want to be apart of it please. It would be interesting to see if Wallet integrates with Keychain.

  23. Jack Sauer on February 2nd, 2007 5:27 am

    And it won’t be the last!

    ;)

  24. Dustin Bachrach on February 2nd, 2007 5:48 am

    Well, I’ll give a whack at getting a free copy of wallet.

  25. Mathieu on February 2nd, 2007 5:51 am

    Great interview! I hope to saw more interview like this in the future! :)

  26. Mik on February 2nd, 2007 5:55 am

    Me too

  27. Jack Sauer on February 2nd, 2007 6:02 am

    You sure will, we have some great ones lined up for the near future!

    ;)

  28. Andy on February 2nd, 2007 6:13 am

    Looking forward to the “top secret” app. I guess he has learned a lot from Apple, both in his words and in his applications.

  29. Connor Cimowsky on February 2nd, 2007 6:14 am

    Wallet is definitely one of my favourite apps. I am at the limit of how many things I can hold, and my parent’s won’t let me buy a copy even with my own money! They say it’s a waste of money :(

  30. CarLBanks on February 2nd, 2007 6:17 am

    Wallet sounds like a really cool password organizer. I’ve been looking for something like this. Can’t wait to see if I won!

  31. Geir-Tore on February 2nd, 2007 6:46 am

    As many others here, I haven’t heard of Wallet before now either. Looks like a great app, and I am trying it out now.

    Btw: Good luck on this site, looks like it might become a great source of info about mac apps.

  32. basetta on February 2nd, 2007 7:03 am

    I’m curious about the new topsecret app….too many topsecret stuff in our mac-geeks life lately ! LOL

  33. Jeremy on February 2nd, 2007 7:13 am

    Wallet is by far one of my favorite apps.

  34. Wess Daniels on February 2nd, 2007 7:14 am

    Looks like this is going to be a great site guys!

  35. Jamie Murai on February 2nd, 2007 7:30 am

    Looks like a really useful app!

  36. Sigurður �rmannsson on February 2nd, 2007 7:32 am

    I have been trying out a few of these serial/password data apps. Wallet is the first and only one that allows me to write my name with all the characters it has. That is, it’s using Unicode characterset.
    Besides that it has a pretty and logical interface. I like that it’s using AddressBooks shortcuts.

  37. Matt on February 2nd, 2007 7:58 am

    Nice, Wallet seems to be a very nice app. I’ve seen it before but not really paid it much attention. Also interested in that new top secret app. :D Nice to see this blog too, just the sort of thing I’m interested in.

    Count me in for the competition too please.

    Thanks
    Matt

  38. Richard Neal on February 2nd, 2007 8:06 am

    I’ve been using Waller for a while now to store serial numbers, but the web password storage is somewhat lacking, so I use 1Passwd for that.

  39. Keenan on February 2nd, 2007 8:15 am

    I could use a copy of Wallet; it looks great.

  40. Tom on February 2nd, 2007 8:43 am

    Love the new site!! I am going to take a look at Wallet sounds like a cool application!

  41. Balazs on February 2nd, 2007 8:48 am

    Love the site! Wallet seems like an interesting product, and if I don’t win I will probably buy it. It is a really useful application, gotta love those developers!!

  42. Rob on February 2nd, 2007 9:25 am

    Excited to hear about the new project. Great site, too.

  43. Niklas Nisen on February 2nd, 2007 9:36 am

    I never thought about how useful it would be to use this with iPod!
    I always forget my passwords in school and other public places with computers.

  44. Brad on February 2nd, 2007 9:58 am

    Wallet is a very useful little app and I’m glad to hear you have a project in development. This site looks promising as well *bookmarks*

  45. Ralph Dagza on February 2nd, 2007 11:13 am

    I need a real wallet

  46. Jason on February 3rd, 2007 9:22 am

    Can he work on a wallet that makes money magically appear?

  47. tomnook10 on February 3rd, 2007 9:23 am

    Ohhhh a secret app! I really want Wallet so I can clean out my Liscense Keys e-mail box :)

  48. Brandon on February 3rd, 2007 9:24 am

    I think it is a good idea so that people can attempt to be more secure.

  49. Nick on February 3rd, 2007 9:29 am

    I’m new to Mac and have recently been looking at those “the 10 best apps” lists, but wallet isn’t on any of the ones I’ve read… What other little programs like this are awesome???

  50. Scott Howard on February 3rd, 2007 9:31 am

    I want to know what the new project is? :-)

  51. Dennis on February 3rd, 2007 9:33 am

    Good interview, wish it had been longer. Interesting to have insight on other programmers – how they code, what they like / dislike and development machines of choice!

  52. tenjay on February 3rd, 2007 9:40 am

    sounds intriguing. pick my name from the raffle!

  53. anoop on February 3rd, 2007 9:42 am

    free wallet me!

  54. Sherb on February 3rd, 2007 9:44 am

    @Dennis – I agree the interview was to short… I hope interviews in the future are longer.

  55. Niklas Nisen on February 3rd, 2007 9:46 am

    @Dennis: Thanks for your comment! We love to hear comments about our posts. That helps us build more interesting posts later. What do you think about the application itself?

  56. Glenn Wolsey on February 3rd, 2007 9:48 am

    Thanks for the comments guys, we will put them into action and make future interviews more detailed and longer.

  57. Luc on February 3rd, 2007 10:11 am

    Im a Switcher and at 27 love the new mac and all its applications.wallet is like AIrobo form i use on or used to use on my pc.
    i love wallet and keeps me sane from trying to remember 50 passwords from forum sites etc.
    Keep up the good work

  58. luke dorny on February 3rd, 2007 10:27 am

    I purchased Wallet some time ago in the hopes that it would integrate into various other apps, one of which i hoped would be a browser like Safari or Firefox.

    Despite how cool the app is, i must say i haven’t used it much. These days, though, there are quite a few more apps that touch on this subject.

    I do look forward to his next app, though. Wonder what it could be?

  59. Andre on February 3rd, 2007 11:05 am

    I know it’s been said, but that was a bit to short.

  60. Eric Elliott on February 3rd, 2007 11:43 am

    Thanks for the interview, I too agree that it was short, so I’m looking forward to more in-depth interviews in the future. It is great to learn about the people behind great Mac apps.

  61. Charlie on February 3rd, 2007 1:47 pm

    Well, I am about to make the switch to Mac by buying a 15″ Macbook Pro, so I might get the chance to try this program out sometime!

  62. Yong Hwee on February 3rd, 2007 3:24 pm

    Wallet is an awsome app! The interface is just simple and it has the whole Mac feel to it..

  63. Richard on February 3rd, 2007 7:04 pm

    I agree with what has been said- Wallet is a great app!

  64. Allen on February 3rd, 2007 3:21 am

    I will be honest, I am just posting in hopes of winning a license to Wallet so I can see why everyone else loves this app. Plus I am horrible are remembering passwords so this could only help.

  65. Codie on February 3rd, 2007 3:33 am

    The WOW starts here on this blog not on MS vista, great blog and im loving your first interveiw, i hope to see a few more of these niche app sites pop up but for now keep the posts coming

  66. Janice on February 3rd, 2007 4:51 am

    Great blog, I always like to test new applications! And of course with the chance to win a copy of Wallet, who can resist? Fingers crossed!

  67. Daniel Nass on February 3rd, 2007 10:43 am

    Can’t wait to hear more details about the secret project! Fun interview.

  68. Dave on February 3rd, 2007 1:26 pm

    This is one app I’ve been considering for a while. It fills a void well.

  69. Steve’s Mac Guides and Info » Blog Archive » Interview with Dustin MacDonald, the developer of Wallet on February 4th, 2007 12:30 am

    [...] (Via Digg / Apple.) [...]

  70. Steve on February 4th, 2007 12:31 am

    This is a life saver. I would love to have a copy for my wife. I use this app Daily!!

  71. Dim on February 4th, 2007 5:23 pm

    Heard of wallet, never tried it though. =/

  72. sg on February 4th, 2007 9:13 pm

    Me too!

  73. Anthony on February 5th, 2007 12:47 am

    Wallet looks rad, a great time saver. I currently don’t use any password managing software, would love to give wallet a go.

  74. Yohannes Wijaya on February 5th, 2007 3:54 pm

    Never tried wallet either. I got a 1passwd app through macheist, so far so good. Will definitely try wallet to see how it compares.

  75. Steve on February 5th, 2007 4:01 pm

    I love Wallet. My only wish is that I could enter carriage returns into the notes are. That would make the notes field much more useful.

  76. Daniel on February 5th, 2007 5:07 pm

    It sounds like a great application. I’d love to win a copy to try it out.

  77. Jeffrey on February 6th, 2007 11:34 am

    If Apple was smart they’d bundle a scaled down version of Wallet for the iPhone.

  78. Michael on February 6th, 2007 5:54 pm

    Cool… count me in for the contest!

  79. MacApper » Blog Archive » Winners Announced: Wallet on February 7th, 2007 2:21 am

    [...] promised, here are the three winners from our contest to win one of three copies of Dustin MacDonald’s application [...]

  80. Glenn Wolsey on February 7th, 2007 2:22 am
  81. whebocirhe on October 6th, 2008 4:15 am
  82. psikyzi on December 5th, 2008 1:40 pm

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