MeansMeans

A small company for independent software.

Means owns and operates Cortex Software and Working Theory. One publishes open tools; the other develops commercial products.

The structure follows the work.

Cortex Software is the home for free, open-source tools. Working Theory is the home for products that need a commercial model. Both are Means companies, but they make different promises to the people who use their software.

Means
MeansAn independent group building desktop software and developer tools.

Cortex Software

Free, local-first tools for creators, developers, and specialist communities.

  1. Cortex Studio
  2. Cortex ToolBox
  3. Tailmark
  4. OpenNGENUITY
  5. Cortex PolCam
  6. Cortex Loading
  7. Sentry
  8. Cortex Chat
  9. Switchboard
  10. Cortex Multicharacter
  11. Cortex Lib

Working Theory

Commercial software for specific, demanding workflows.

  1. Shelf
  2. Means Audio
  3. CompressThing

How Means works

Five rules for deciding what to build, how far to take it, and what to leave out.

  1. Utility

    We chooseUseful

    NotMerely impressive

  2. Scope

    We chooseFocused

    NotNeedlessly expansive

  3. Access

    We chooseOpen

    NotClosed without reason

  4. Systems

    We chooseOne coherent system

    NotA collection of disconnected products

  5. Clarity

    We chooseUnderstandable

    NotClever for its own sake

Talk to us.

Means is small and independent. If you use the software, want to work together, or have a useful criticism, send a note.

Means · Cortex Software (open) · Working Theory (commercial)