People and their apps these days; why have a full blown application when you can have the first three letters of it for 99 cents? Apple started the trend aimlessly with their iPhone after realizing that people wanted more native access to the hardware and has since seen a very warm reception for that decision. App Stores have spread since that time with just about every mobile platform having at least one, Mac OSX having one, and Windows developing one for their next release. Before there were App Stores, Linux users had a long history of application repositories which functioned very similarly to App Stores except that they were free. Ubuntu decided that the time is right to allow paid applications alongside free ones with the restrictions of 2.99$ minimum cost and 20% commission for Canonical, according to The Register.
Next thing you know and we’ll be able to rent a Tux.
Personally I like the ability for a developer to distribute their content digitally with an easy ecommerce platform for both developer and user. There always is the risk of greed taking over and locking down platforms except through controlled channels which can harm everyone involved: users have less choice and lock-in; developers have less freedom; the platform owner sacrifices the market share and openness of their platform; and art loses its permanence and preservation. On the other hand, a Linux distribution is one of the least likely to go greedy if only for the cross-compatibility and free-license nature of the platform allowing nearly instant turn-over.
What do you think about Ubuntu’s App Store? Is it a load of Crapp? Registration not required to comment.
In amerika today under
In amerika today under laissez-faire-style capitalism it’s -ALL- about the greed. It’s what’s turned the country into the 3rd world, and laid waste to the entire world economy.
Actually, it’s
Actually, it’s socialism-tainted capitalism. There is no place for greed in real, pure capitalism, because there everyone gets what he/she is worth of – no more, no less.
If there wasn’t socialistic thinking that “I should have a big shiny house even though I’m nobody”, there would be no problem with bad credits, big banks bankrupts, crisis, etc.
Wow, this seems really on
Wow, this seems really on topic, guys.
Way to be mature.
Linux has always had a
Linux has always had a problem with installing 3rd party applications and keeping them upto date. This approach will help people unfamlier with the install process and will add a way to provide updates. It does not preclude companies from providing their own apt repositories like Oracle does for Virtualbox, it just makes it easier for them to get new customers and provides a souce of funding for Ubuntu so it can stay free.
This!
Ubuntu has had the
This!
Ubuntu has had the Software Center for some time now, and I’ve found it to be a really robust and simple alternative to Synaptic or YaST. It’s great that people will be able to make money by distributing free software this way.
Haha so much for the free
Haha so much for the free software bullshit philosophy.