This would cause a major outcry on Slashdot: <press_release>
Microsoft (MSFT) to announce new, innovative Windows Software Repository (tm) for bettter security and integration. The Microsoft Co. is pleased to announce that, comming with the next version of windows, code-named 'Longhorn', a new service has been devised by microsoft, to allow users to access, evaluate and pay for new software directly from a central application, dubbed 'Windows Software Center (tm)'. The application would contact Microsoft's main server, and allow the user to select programs that are certified by Microsoft for security, stability and proper integration with the OS. This is a part of Microsoft's ongoing efffort to make Effortless Computing (tm) a reality for all AT's out there. </press_release> You know that if MS will do that, companies will not only participate, but will *pay* to be included and 'certified', rather than left behind in the dust. Why haven't they done it yet? I can only guess: as developing costs money and effort, MS only concentrates their efforts on whatever is touted as their competition's greatest benefit, being a sensible business. What FOSS advocates push now is security, so that's what they're after now. When it was stability, that's what they went after. If FOSS advocates would push the usability button harder, and have a real advantage to show (much more than now), above press release would become a reality. Just my 2 agorot. Amit Aronovitch wrote: > Amos Shapira wrote: > >> Debian (and other distro's) convenience is that it packages many >> utilities >> and add-ons in an easy uniform interface to download/install/config. >> >> This should be possible to do also on Windows (there is nothing special >> about the Linux kernel), only it haven't been done yet. People >> can probably come up with many reasons (one I can think of is the >> proprietary and non-free-as-in-speech nature of the licenses of >> most Windows utilities). >> >> There are tucows.com/download.com etc., only there is no central body >> (that I'm aware of) to help Windows users track changes convenietly, >> >> > I consider *integration* as the main benefit - not the cerntralized site. > > Generally, Windows users are just not aware of the possibility to have > all your software installable in a consistant and clean way from a > single source (and have them all updated with a single command or GUI > button). The major benefit of working with a mainstream distro, is that > the package maintainers actively work on making all software integrate > in a consistant way (and with the big distros, almost every useful new > opensource software will be immediately packaged) e.g.: > * After you install an app, it will be immediately added to your menus > in an appropriate sub-menu (in windows all apps are added into a huge > single "Applications" menu, make themselved the default handler for > stuff etc.). > * You can't install conflicting software - either conflicts would be > automaticly resolved or you'll be asked to choose - and that's even > before the download starts. If a package depends on other software, they > will be automaticly downloaded and installed too. > * No more software overriding each other's settings, grabbing each > others file extensions etc. Packages register the software with the > distro's central mechanisms for handling alternatives. > >> security patches etc - they have to keep track of each installed utility >> separatly. (Maybe it's an idea for a startup? :) >> >> > You can't do that (unless you drop what I consider to be the main benefit). > And there's a good reason for that - namely Copyright law vs Open Source. > > With propriatary software - no single entity can maintain a single > repository with integrated packages covering all (well, 99% at least) of > the software you'll ever need. They are just *not legally allowed* to do > so. > > If your'e Micorosft, you might create a central distribution source > carrying Windows, Office, several games and tools, but what about > Photoshop? Doom3? Acrobat Reader? WinZip? You can't legally distribute > those without special contract with the authors (well, you can always > buy some companies, and put others out of business ;-) ). > Of course, you could add some Free Software in your distribution too - > but you can't add GPL-licensed stuff (and GPL is the most common OSS > license). If you do add GPL stuff, you'll have to make all the other > stuff open source too - so the commercial parts are out - you can't > supply Office & Windows. > > > > ================================================================= > To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with > the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command > echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > -- Keep on rocking in a free world! ================================================================= To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
