Closing Shop - 1/1/2013

I started Mr B Ware in 2011 as creative outlet for my little bit of free time at nights. I wasn't feeling challenged at my day job anymore and I thought I would develop some fun iOS apps to expand my programming experience outside of the typical embedded realm and help supplement our family's income a bit. At first I started with a few quirky photo apps and once I felt I had a decent grasp on iOS programming I set out to create the app I really wanted to create, Simply B&W. Since that time countless B&W photo apps have added the lens filter feature, which really made Simply B&W unique at its launch, and I'm very proud of that fact. I was completely blown away when Macworld UK nominated it alongside Snapseed and Photoshop Touch for its annual award ceremony.

2012 was a big year of changes for my family. Early in the year it was becoming increasingly clear to me and my wife that after 10 years at my previous employer I needed to start looking for a new job because I wasn't happy in my role. I spent almost all of my free time searching, which meant very little free time to devote to my apps. In August I accepted a Software Engineering Manager position at an amazing company in Seattle that also afforded my wife the position she wanted, "Stay at Home Mom." The remainder of the year was spent moving twice (from Phoenix to a month-to-month rental and finally to our new house) and adjusting to life in the new city.

Over the last month I've thought long and hard about the future of Mr B Ware and yesterday I decided it's best to close my doors. I had lots of ideas about improvements and additions for Simply B&W and also had a few ideas for new apps (one was very close to being finished) but I don't see myself having the time to see these out. My hope is to use more of my free time exploring Seattle with my family and for other creative outlets. I want to devote more time to iPhoneography and photography(using my X100) of the nearby parks and city, remodel parts of our 1926 home, renovate a Philco 46-1226 I just purchased, start a new music project, home brew some beer, and also work on some computer-generated art ideas I have using Processing or OpenFrameworks.

I'd like to personally thank all of you that have helped and supported me over the past two years. Virtually meeting many of you scattered across the globe has taught me that it really is a small world and I hope that some day I'll be able to share a pint with some of you. See you on Flickr,Twitter, or Facebook. Cheers and Happy New Year!

Brian Kennedy
@SasquatchFuzz
Flickr: SasquatchFuzz

PS: My developer account expires Feb. 12, so all three apps will be free until then.