Hello random visitor 👋
Since you've made it to this page, you must be a little curious about AiSudo. But instead of a boring corporate description, let me tell you the story behind it.
This is the story of an ordinary guy, a family man, a father who struggled to survive in this wonderful world 😊
Early 2022 - Everything is alright
Life has been good to me, I'm married to a beautiful and understanding woman. My daughter is 4 years old now, and to me, she's the most beautiful thing in this world.
Economy also good, my income is stable. I've been an indie developer for 15 years now.
Never been happier.
Mid 2022 - Something seems wrong
My income has decreased month by month, maybe due to a Google system update. My install rate has gone down significantly. When I check global trends, my app category is also trending down.
Everything is about AI now.
My competitors have also increased significantly; some are even using multiple accounts to attack my app. This always happens, but this year the attack seems worse.
There's also a war in Ukraine. I hope everyone is safe.
Late 2022 - The crash come
My income has already halved compared to last year. If this keeps going, I won't be able to continue paying for our house. I've prepared money for this situation, but it won't last longer than a year.
Why is this happening to me?
Never mind, I won't give up.
Early 2023 - A new hope
AI is in its early phase, everyone is getting crazy about ChatGPT.
When using GPT, I'm tired of switching between the GPT tab on Chrome and my code editor. I've tried installing the app on my laptop, but there isn't one. No GPT for desktop/laptop... maybe I can try making one?
Making an open-source app seems good. Maybe I can make something out of this.
This is where the idea for AiSudo was born.
Mid 2023 - Walking a new path
AI is evolving, it can even generate images now!
I want to build something that lasts. I know about five programming languages, but none of them are good enough, most are already obsolete.
I need to try something new, something better that will last at least 10 years.
I spent two months trying some new programming languages and frameworks, and I finally decided on one. This one was just published early this year. After doing a really thorough test, I know this is the best one.
Humanity thrives on innovation, it's time to learn something new.
Late 2023 - Sleepless nights
I've stopped sending monthly money to my mom. Luckily, I have many siblings, and some of them can send money home.
I'm in a learning phase now. Programming is hard, just like any other profession. To learn a single programming language, you need to spend at least two semesters/one year.
I hope I can speed this up by skipping some sleep.
By the way, the AI industry is cool, there are new models every week!
Early 2024 - More sleepless nights
My best motivational words: "My family will become homeless next year if my project fails."
The app is in development now. After researching, I've had to pivot a lot. AiSudo is currently focused on image generation.
I've started posting on X/Twitter and connected with some amazing people: - There's a guy from France who always greets my posts with 'Bonjour Alex!' - There's also Misa from Japan, who keeps asking me about my day. - Edward, an old but hard worker from South Africa. I hope you're doing well, Ed.
And many more.
My posts were doing well, every post got about 100 likes, which is huge for a newbie like me.
I just wish I didn't have social anxiety, every post feels like a life-or-death battle to me.
Maybe if I keep posting, this anxiety will go away?
Looking back, my creations on X aren't bad. I've created many beautiful results by 2024 standards. You can check out my creations at : Alex AiSudo's X
Here's my first post on X:
Background story of the post:
When developing, I'm always in my room, only getting out when I need to eat or to get some water.
One day, late at night, as I was about to refill my drink, I read this text on my fridge.
I was very, very emotional when reading this message and decided to make it my first post as a reminder.
Mid 2024 - Almost ready
Things will be okay, the bank has accepted my new loan.
I've started looking for payment providers, and they seem to really dislike small indie developers. After begging many, one finally accepted: Paddle, based in the UK. They seem trustworthy.
AiSudo was even praised by a tester from Paddle.
Some users are already making payments, which is good.
I have to quit X, this social anxiety is killing me. I don't want to lose my sanity just to become social media famous.
Late 2024 - Betrayed!
Paddle kick me.
After spending 2 precious months on validation and integration, Paddle suddenly kicked me. Without warning or explanation. Any attempt to ask for a reason was met with an AI reply.
After asking around, it turns out there are many other developers in the same situation as me, kicked by paddle.
One dev get explanation that it's because we're developing AI.
Ironic, isn't it? A corporation that uses AI a lot, but hates AI developers.
At the sametime, CivitAI, one of the biggest AI provider in the world, change their payment to paddle. It's doesn't feel fair right? The big guy always get the best treatment. Keep reading, justice will be served in the end.
Early 2025 - The final hope
Meet some good customer, who helping me finding the bugs in the app. Also get many good feedback. Can't believe many people trust AiSudo.
Start posting at reddit, get downvoted a lot. Reddit is pretty harsh to new members, but I stay strong. After a few weeeks, some of my reddit posts become trending, people begin to trust AiSudo.
Btw, AI is now capable to produce video! cool!
Mid 2025 - The beacon in the storm
The income from AiSudo is somewhat stable now. It's not much, but steadily increasing, enough to cover my infrastructure expense.
People also keep going back to AiSudo, meaning my hardwork doesn't go waste.
Oh yeah, civitai is currently banned from payment systems around the world. I really sorry for them, I use them a lot for research and model resource.
Does this thing relate to paddle?
I don't know, but paddle should at least give cover to civitai or give some explanations.
The AI industries is almost mature now, I can already see some winner in this race.
Late 2025 - The story would not end here
Currently, AiSudo has more than 3K monthly active users, this is pretty good. I hope starting now, things will become better. I hope the story will not end here, and AiSudo will continue to grow. And I believe by giving my best to customers, the effort will reciprocate.
I hope this story could inspire you, let you understand that life always has up and down. Don't lose hope when things going bleak, and never give up to try. Be humbe if things doing good, and always prepare for the worst.
Thank you very much for reading my story, please know that all of us working in AiSudo is a family (like literally xD).
By supporting us, you are not supporting a big corporate, but supporting a family surviving this amazing world.
. . .
Kind Regards,
From the only one developer, marketer and customer service of AiSudo.
The CEO, Founder and the main shareholder of AiSudo.
The "Best Dad in the world" (according to my daughter).
Alexander Bagus