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I don't know where the idea that Linux-based netbooks don't have an app ecosystem comes from, but I wish it would go away. It's like apt-get doesn't exist, or s

• AlexandrB 15y ago
  Apt-get is great, but it's not an app ecosystem. I suspect getting a commercial app into the debian apt repositories would be near impossible. Getting the user to install a third-party repository, on the other hand, is nearly equivalent to having them just install the software. Besides the considerations of HOW to get an app into apt-get - what if you want to charge for it? Apt-get simply wasn't designed to distribute paid software and you'd have to implement all the missing pieces yourself (account management, payment processing, license management, in-app purchases/upgrades). Doing this per-app is no better than the current situation in Windows from a developer POV. Adding this functionality to some derivative of apt-get, on the other hand, is HARD - besides the technical challenges, you'd have to overcome legal issues with taking payments in a variety of jurisdictions with different regulations and tax laws.
  • bryanlarsen 15y ago
    It may have been hard, but Ubuntu's already done it. The Ubuntu Software Centre contains pay apps.
  • elehack 15y ago
    Ubuntu's software center, built on apt, has support for commercial software sales.