[jasode]

>affect your likelihood of using any software they create?

It depends on the type of software.

"Yes" for utility software of narrow scope. I use scanner utility software called VueScan which was a solo developer (Ed Hamrick) until his son joined.[1] I also used RegexBuddy which I think is a solo dev.[2]

But "No" for critical workflow software that requires proprietary opaque data formats such as a clone for Evernote or similar note-taking tool.

Basically, it's a risk analysis of how much "investment" the user loses if the solo developer quits updating the software or goes bankrupt.

[1] https://www.hamrick.com/about-vuescan.html

[2] https://www.just-great-software.com/aboutjg.html

[b112]

Your reasons make sense, and I'm sure I make similar choices.

But most end users? They have zero idea, and would never think of such things.

They'd just use an app store, or google for something, and click->install.