Have you ever heard of “CrystalDiskMark” or “CrystalDiskInfo“? Many of you reading this blog might have used these tools or at least know what they are. These widely used open-source benchmarking tools, now recognized globally, began with the idea of a Japanese developer. Instead of focusing on developing commercial products as paid work, he chose to support users for years by offering these tools as part of a community effort.

In this blog, we will look back at the journey of Developer Technologies MVP Noriyuki Miyazaki, who has significantly influenced the world as the developer of these software tools. We will explore how he overcame challenges and share his message for those who aspire to create software that supports many users.

The journey of a solo developer

Noriyuki’s interest in benchmarking began in 1995 when he was a high school sophomore and a friend introduced him to WindSock, a benchmarking software for Windows 3.1. In 1998, upon entering university, he spent four years developing CrystalMark06, a comprehensive benchmarking tool with internet ranking capabilities. He later refined it over two years, releasing CrystalMark 2004 with 3D (OpenGL) support, and in 2002, he released CrystalCPUID, which displayed CPU information and supported speed control.

According to Noriyuki, CrystalMark 2004 and CrystalCPUID did not gain widespread popularity. However, he continued to improve his tools, leading to the release of CrystalDiskMark in 2007 for measuring storage speed and CrystalDiskInfo in 2008 for monitoring storage health. These tools have been downloaded over 100 million times and are used by many users worldwide.

Feedback from global users and new connections

As Noriyuki’s benchmarking software became more widely known, feedback from users poured in. One particularly memorable comment was, “Thanks to CrystalDiskInfo, I noticed an issue with my HDD and could back up my data before losing it.” He says, “While CrystalDiskInfo can’t detect all anomalies, I’m glad it helped protect users’ valuable data.”

When asked about his most rewarding experience over his long development journey, Noriyuki says, “Meeting companions who enjoy developing products together.” Notably, he met a new friend Bellche at the Open Source Conference 2011, who has since helped produce official support character goods and organize events.

Overcoming challenges with community support

Over 20 years have passed since the release of his first software, CrystalMark06. Throughout this long journey, Noriyuki faced various challenges. However, as a community member, he overcame these with the support of others. “Even if I couldn’t solve something alone, someone around the world would help. I’m grateful every day for everyone who helped my open-source development,” he reflects. Here are two examples of his challenges:

Bug Fixes:
“The initial release of CrystalDiskMark had three critical bugs, discovered every few months. Each time a bug was found, I received harsh criticism, but I fixed them immediately and disclosed the causes transparently. Despite these critical issues shaking users’ trust, I could continue development thanks to their support.”

Technical Challenges:
“Supporting external HDDs/SSDs in CrystalDiskInfo was challenging since Windows’ standard features only retrieve information for internal drives. I sought help on my website and received a detailed response, complete with source code, on how to support USB-connected drives. With users’ and storage vendors’ cooperation, I overcame many technical hurdles, adding support for NVMe and some RAID configurations.”

Message to aspiring developers

Noriyuki, whose software has surpassed 100 million downloads, remains dedicated to developing benchmark tools loved by users worldwide. Recently, he released CrystalMark Retro, an improved version of CrystalMark 2004, showing his continued passion for delivering new software.

Noriyuki’s journey, which started as a student in Japan, has led to globally used software. For those aspiring to create software loved worldwide, he offers this encouraging message:

“I’ve continued developing for over 20 years as a professional, working on weeknights and weekends. Here are three key points I cherish:

Create what you want to create.
Don’t strive for perfection.
Don’t overdo it.

I aim to keep developing joyfully, creating software loved by users worldwide.”

It’s clear that technology has advanced, and computer usage has spread among the general public since the late 1990s when Noriyuki started developing. The evolution of the Internet and the advent of smartphones have made information gathering, sharing, and communication more accessible. The recent rise of generative AI is a crucial technological advancement, enabling anyone to create solutions that benefit society and drive innovation. It’s your turn to be that individual who makes a difference for many!

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