The Apple Developer Program (ADC) is the official channel for developers to gain access to Apple technology and support. There are 3 programs, Online (free), Select ($500/year) and Premiere ($3k/year).

The Online program is meant to provide access to SDKs and other developer tools. The Select and Premiere programs offer more benefits, but more importantly seeds of upcoming versions of Mac OS X.

Seeding is very important during any major update, such as the upcoming 10.4 to 10.5 transition.

This year, unlike past years, Apple provided developer previews to WWDC attendees but NOT to those of us that did not attend.

In the past, a week might pass before developers unable to attend WWDC received their seeds.

Those of us not attending WWDC this year can read blogs about 10.5, see press coverage including detailed walkthroughs, and hear about bittorrents streaming everywhere.

But no seeds for us it seems.

Who knows why? Perhaps to force more developers to attend WWDC, prevent illegal leaks of their software, or perhaps they’re just too busy.

Word from Apple by way of developer relations – we have nothing to tell you and have announced nothing - stay tuned.

Considering that Apple’s Mail application in 10.5 is starting to encroach on MailTemplate’s functionality, my frustration has grown to the point I needed to vent.

Apple statement is being heard loud and clear. No soup for you!

My statement back, get off your asses and treat all your developers equally if you want a thriving ecosystem.

With 4 months till Macworld 2007 I hope September bears fruit.