4 ms·
Back when compilers cost money, I had no problem as a $40K/year programmer paying >$200 for the latest edition annually. It really is about security. You have
by cjensen 12y ago
Back when compilers cost money, I had no problem as a $40K/year programmer paying >$200 for the latest edition annually.
It really is about security. You have to ID yourself to get in. If you write malware, Apple has a kill switch they can enable to kill all your apps everywhere, and law enforcement has at least the start of a trail to follow.
I really want Windows to switch to this model! I cringe every time I download an unsigned installer. Even Free Software (Free as in Freedom) developers manage to pay for a cert.
- TillE 12y agoI don't understand why a Microsoft-compatible code signing cert costs around $200/year. I'd be completely in favor of a one-time identity verification fee, or maybe even $100 for a five year cert if you want to make sure everything stays current. But the current structure makes zero sense.
- GeorgeHahn 12y agoNot always true - some companies will give CV certs to OSS projects.
- dingaling 12y ago> Back when compilers cost money, I had no problem as a $40K/year programmer paying >$200 for the latest edition annually. But a compiler generally received improvements from each of those updates. A certificate does not; in fact it's quite the opposite, paying an annual fee merely prevents the certificate from being disabled.