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That's one way to look at it. On the other hand for consumers it's a vastly more convenient experience than something like this: https://www.sublimemerge.com/do
by Boulth 7y ago
That's one way to look at it. On the other hand for consumers it's a vastly more convenient experience than something like this: https://www.sublimemerge.com/docs/linux_repositories https://www.sublimemerge.com/docs/linux_repositories
- stephenr 7y agoYou realise that page has instructions for two branches (dev/stable) for 5 different package managers? I can't really imagine someone who needs to use a text merge tool, and uses a Linux desktop, but finds it overwhelming to run, at most, 3 commands.
- Boulth 7y agoCompare this with the Windows/MacOS instructions: https://www.sublimemerge.com/download https://www.sublimemerge.com/download Just in case it's not clear: there are none. You just download the file and run it. That's the problem that Microsoft code signing certs solve. Sure, it's not overwhelming, but without thinking about UX 2020 won't be the year of Linux Desktop. "5 different package managers" is part of the problem. The text merge tool is just an example.
- stephenr 7y agoI must have missed the part where a code signing certificate provides you with software versioning, dependency management and updating. I guess you learn something every day. Additional: > "5 different package managers" is part of the problem. Problem for who?
- Boulth 7y agoI never said anything like that about code signing (you may want to check out "in comments" section of the guidelines: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html). Code signing allows software vendors to opt in to a reputation based scheme of authenticating software. There is nothing like that on Linux. There are similar systems within distros (Debian Developers, Arch TU etc.) but each one of them is for that one particular distro. EV Code Signing certs require that the private key is stored on a hardware token (so it's harder to misuse). This is also something that's not utilized by packagers. Code signing doesn't solve world hunger but it doesn't mean it's all evil. > Problem for who? ISVs and ultimately their users.
- nemetroid 7y agoThat same page has pre-built Linux packages available for download as well. It's perfectly possible to download and run those packages and get the Windows experience without the racketeering.
- Boulth 7y agoYes, that's pretty close. Windows one is directly executable (installer) but the MacOS is compressed too.
- ryanlol 7y agoYou can’t even begin to compare these things. Cryptography is used for both, but these systems have completely different goals.
- Boulth 7y agoCould you elaborate on the "different goals" here? As far as I understand this is about getting software from the vendor to the hands of users.