A few months ago I wanted to buy a Mac app (that wasn't available through Mac App Store). Obviously I couldn't buy it with credit card, so I offered the developer $15 iTunes gift credit, but he was afraid to do business with me (it is illegal, he said) :)
Also, Google Code & SourceForge block Iranian IPs, so it's hard even to download free stuff!
If I may ask, what is the software/hacking scene in Iran really like? Do most computers use Linux? (And if trading with Iran is illegal how would you buy an Apple or Dell machine anyway?). Can you have gmail/blogger/twitter accounts or are US companies forbidden from giving you free accounts? What languages are popular? Is there a large internal market for software?
> what is the software/hacking scene in Iran really like?
For indie developers and those who want to use cutting edge technologies (think of a web service created on Node.js + MongoDB), pretty grim. People use those kind of services, but it's hard to make a living making them (because of lack of widespread payment systems).
But the government invests heavily on software technologies (security/blocking/MITMing!), and all corporations/big businesses have to rely on home-made solutions (banks, hospitals, universities) Those areas are usually dominated by Microsoft technologies (.Net and SQL Server).
> Do most computers use Linux?
Absolutely no. It's easy to crack Windows, Photoshop and Microsoft Word! And many (including myself) don't consider it unethical, as you can't buy them in any other way (I buy a lot through Mac/iTunes App Store, but mainly to support fellow developers and not because I consider it more ethical for my situation).
> And if trading with Iran is illegal how would you buy an Apple or Dell machine anyway?
I think it's called black market (though I'm not sure if it applies to our situation or not). What I mean is that a guy buys 25 MacBooks in Hong Kong and ships them to Iran (they're all registered under his name) and then sells them independently of Apple, usually with a tasty premium (Apple products are really popular, but also more expensive than other brands.
> Can you have gmail/blogger/twitter accounts or are US companies forbidden from giving you free accounts?
You usually can use them, but you can't register from Iran (you have to choose another country). But in case of most social things it doesn't matter, because they are blocked by the government anyway. Stuff like sf.net, code.google.com, and like of Oracle are more problematic; as they block Iranian IPs.
> What languages are popular?
C#, ASP.Net, PHP, Java (for businesses). Hackers and hobbyists use whatever they feel like.
> Is there a large internal market for software?
For end users? No. But for corporations and businesses (those I mentioned above), I don't think it's different than other places.
A few months ago I wanted to buy a Mac app (that wasn't available through Mac App Store). Obviously I couldn't buy it with credit card, so I offered the developer $15 iTunes gift credit, but he was afraid to do business with me (it is illegal, he said) :)
Also, Google Code & SourceForge block Iranian IPs, so it's hard even to download free stuff!