Antony’s Mobile Blog

After writing about my decision of not to develop Screenshot for Symbian OS further, I have received some comments from fellow bloggers or developers. Unfortunately, there is still no help from Symbian.

Recently, someone from Epocware sent an email to me. He said that he can help me signing my application. Wow, that’s good news. So, I sent him my application. Surprisingly, one day later, she sent my application back. It is a signed application! Here is the certificate information that is used by Epocware to sign my application.

Primary:
Issued by Symbian.
Issued to f3c961139a1c755c92afde01f4ef8e9e.
Valid from 10/08/2007 to 09/08/2017.
Issued by VeriSign Testing-Based ACS Root for Symbian OS.
Issued to Symbian Limited.
Valid from 13/10/2003 to 27/08/2023.

Thanks a lot to Epocware. You have saved my life.

My decision of not developing Screenshot for Symbian OS has triggered some reactions. Thanks to the following bloggers for their sympathy (am I missing somebody?):

• The Sad, Sad State of Symbian Signed from Symbian-Guru
• Symbian Freeware Scene Under Serious Crises from Symbian Freak
• Quick Clicks #4 from Symbian in Motion

Thanks also to:

• Steve Litchfield from AllAboutSymbian.com who tried to contact one of the Symbian Vice President.
• Jo Stichbury, the author of Symbian OS Explained and Accredited Symbian Developer Primer, even met me today asking the detail of the problem.

Is there a solution for Symbian Signed for Freeware? Is it possible to do automatic signing for freeware? How can we authenticate freeware developers without any cost? There are many open questions to answer.

I have an idea of automatic signing that may work for open source projects. Basically, Symbian (or other organization that has access to root certificates) creates a system that is able to download the source code directly from SourceForge.net or FreshMeat.net. It compiles the source code in the system automatically. Then it signs the application automatically.

In my opinion, there won’t be crazy developers who publish virus or malicious code to the open source communities. The success of an open source project is based on trust, isn’t it? Will someone abuse the system? It might be, but as far as I know SourceForge.net team always review a project for approval.

I am sorry to announce that there will be no further development of Screenshot for Symbian OS. The last versions can still be found here:

• Screenshot for Symbian OS (for S60 3rd) version 2.60
• Screenshot for Symbian OS (S60 1st/2nd) version 2.50
• Screenshot for Symbian OS (UIQ 2)

The full source code is still available at SourceForge.net:

• Source code of Screenshot for Symbian OS

What is the reason behind my decision? It is because Symbian Signed for Freeware is more or less dead now. There is no official statement from Symbian yet, but my last freeware application has been stuck there for more than 3 months. I have sent emails to some Symbian persons who might be able to help; but got no response.

Here is a response from R.H. (initial of a person who works for Symbian) on July 3, 2007.

Hi Zishan,
Could you please let Antony know the state of his application?
Regards,
The Symbian Signed Team
EMail: symbiansigned@symbian.com
www.symbiansigned.com
*** NOTE : When responding please ‘reply with history’ to ensure your responses are handled in a timely manner. ***

I got no further follow-up from him or Zishan. For your information, Zishan was the person from CellMania who used to do signing. I have sent email to him several times as well, but got not a single reply.

Here is another response from H.W. (another Symbian guy) on July 22, 2007.

Hi Antony
FYI SymbianSigned let me know that their looking into this on Friday … I haven’t heard back from them yet though.
Regards
H
—————————————————
[… name removed]
Developer Consulting, Asia/Pacific Region
Symbian Ltd. (Australia)

Did I try different channel to get my application signed? Yes, indeed. As a Forum Nokia Champion, there was an offer for signing from Forum Nokia.

    Hi,

VTT is handling the Symbian Signed for Nokia test house evaluation process on behalf of us so please contact them directly, [… email removed]

…………………………………………………………
[… name removed]
Project manager, Application Testing Services
Forum Nokia
Tampere, Finland

http://www.forum.nokia.com - The developer site

I have sent my application to the email address given above on July 4, 2007. Unfortunately, I don’t get any reply either after 1 month.

I have also tried to raise the issue about Symbian Signed for Freeware to many discussion boards and blogs. Here are some of them:

• Freeware Symbian Signed at Symbian Discussion Board
• Selling my applications at Forum Nokia Discussion Board
• An Open Letter to Symbian Signed Authority at Antony’s Mobile Blog 

Bonus Links

• Death of the Bedroom Coder Part I
• Death of the Bedroom Coder Part II
• Is Symbian Trying to Kill Off Small Developers