One of the coolest features Windows users might notice when they try out Linux distributions such as Ubuntu is the ease with which you can find and install open-source programs. While Windows users have to scour the web to find, download, and install applications, Linux users can type a simple "apt-get" into their terminal or open up Synaptic package manager or a similar application.Ed Ropple wants to know why Linux users should have all the fun, and has proposed working with WinLibre to develop a software repository and packaging system for Windows as part of Google's Summer of Code.
Such a service could make finding and installing new programs much simpler. Not only would you be able to find open source software that fits your needs (something you can already do with websites like OSALT.com), but you can be sure that each program has been tested out by the community maintaining the repository.
[via Slashdot]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-29-2007 @ 5:27PM
Chris said...
I've thought about this for a long time, especially when it comes to IE add-ons. Why aren't there more?
Honestly, I believe the answer is the "community" wants to do everything possible to (or would rather) see MS fall flat on its face -- and hard, so they'll opt to make extensions for Firefox over IE, packages for *nix over Windows, etc.
It's really a shame.
BTW, one of the best almost-does-everything-or-will-soon free add-ons for IE is one you've already covered, but is a great example... IE7Pro.
Either way, that GUI-based single-point repository access to open source programs for Windows would be awesome.
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5-30-2007 @ 9:02AM
Grammar freak said...
I agree with Chris entirely. I can't read slashdot anymore, linux zealot-ness has gotten out of hand.
If I was engineering this (and I had given it some thought a few weeks ago actually) I would also include non-FOSS stuff that is free to download and install (for example, the winzip demo, winamp, or games demos, etc).
Either way, I couldn't figure out how to download winlibre (links were all hosed) and the small collection of software on it was not enticing at this point in time. Step in the right direction though.
Does it use a bittorrent type protocol to distribute the software?
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6-03-2007 @ 8:26AM
Greeface said...
Wow, Chris. I am in awe of your ignorance.
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6-27-2007 @ 11:27AM
TastyWheat said...
I'm actually inclined to disagree. Using "apt-get" or "yum" is kind of nice since you don't have to actively search for what you want, but it has its flaws. If your repositories are old or they don't contain the program you're looking for then it's pretty much useless to you. Not every program under the sun is available through "apt-get" either. So for those programs you still need to go to the website and download the binaries (if you're lucky) or download the source code and compile it yourself. Then it tells you you're missing dependencies so you need to find them which leads to more dependency issues.
One of the main reasons I haven't completely switched to linux is the frequent hassle of installing and removing programs.
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