" So if we’re going to build new applications that require a large time investment, like say movie editing – today that doesn’t matter for the enterprise desktop, but eventually it will when we get closer to consumers – you really need to have a cross-platform story. "
- Miguel de Icaza

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, software developers often face the challenge of creating applications that cater to a wide range of users and platforms. The statement emphasizes the importance of considering long-term trends when developing new software, particularly for tasks such as movie editing which demand significant user investment in terms of time and effort.

The deeper meaning behind this quote suggests that while current enterprise desktop environments may not yet require extensive cross-platform functionality, future consumer-oriented applications will increasingly benefit from it. This forward-thinking perspective encourages developers to anticipate the evolving needs of their users and create versatile software solutions that can seamlessly adapt to different operating systems and devices. By doing so, developers ensure that their applications remain relevant and valuable in an expanding market where user expectations are constantly changing.

Miguel de Icaza is a prominent figure in the technology industry known for his contributions to open-source projects such as GNOME and Mono. As a respected software engineer and entrepreneur, he brings extensive experience and insight into the complexities of developing cross-platform applications that meet diverse user needs across various technological landscapes.