Zero Install: The Future of Linux on the Desktop?

SiegeX writes "Zero Install ,which is apart of the ROX desktop environment is not just a new packaging system, it's a whole new way of thinking; a way that I believe is exactly what Linux needs to become a serious contender for Joe User's desktop. Zero Install uses an NFS to both run *and* install apps from. The apps are all self-contained in their own directory; binaries, docs, source code and all. Once the app has been downloaded its kept in a cache from that point on to minimize delay. The beauty becomes apparent when Zero Install is combined with ROX which runs the application by just clicking on the directory it was installed to. Deleting the application along with all the other misc files is as simple as removing the directory it's contained in. This method of partitioning applications in their own directories also allows installing multiple versions of any application trivial. This is something even the greatest of technophobes could understand and use with ease."

Comments

Re:You should get out more

[AstroDrabb]

Look what you get with that $700 from Apple. The eMac is dog slow and has little room to upgrade. While the G5 may be a snappy processor, the G4 cannot hold a candle to Intel and AMD.

My wife's great grandfather (81 yrs. old) just "got a dell dude" for under $700. For that price he got a 2.2GHz P4 with 256MB memory, 40GB 7,200 RPM HDD, 10/100 nic, winmodem, an OK Intel "extreme" graphics controller, 17" monitor, keyboard, scroll mouse and a scanner. Apple does not offer anything in the _average_ price range of todays computers.

I just built my own computer for a little under $500 by just buying parts I needed. AMD 2500+ w/fan, 512 MB PC2700, 120GB 7,200 8MB cache HDD, 64 MB Gefore 3 Ti 500, DVD +- R-RW drive, new case and new KT600 based mobo all for under $500. I was able to shop around to get the best price, a feature not available from Apple.

What does Apple offer for under $700 that can perform just as well? Nothing. IMO, a good performing Mac does not cost less then $1,200 or so.

Apple put themselves into a niche market based on price and they seem happy there.

And if you want to use Mac OS X on a new Mac, buy an eMac for $799

I thought about getting an eMac before I purchased parts to build a new computer. However, in the end, it came down to getting the best value for my money. I would have had to spend $300 more for the eMac and had a computer that was considerably slower then what I could get in a PeeCee for $500.