Slashdot Mirror
Big Names Back Possible Linux Standards
Sean Feryl writes "Adobe Systems, IBM, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Novell, RealNetworks and Red Hat are all backing the new Linux standards effort led by the Free Standards Group to form standards for key components of Linux desktop software, including libraries, application runtime and install time. The goal is to encourage the development of more applications for the Linux platform. 'With this complex and costly development and support environment, independent software vendors may choose not to target the Linux desktop, leading to reduced choice for end users and an inability to compete with proprietary operating systems', the group said." Also covered on FoxNews.
I am sure that Adobe sees Linux is gaining acceptance in the CGI industry, and are smart enough to know that there is a good amount of money to be thrown around in there. The one thing that is certain is that one or more people in a position of power at Adobe believe in Linux enough to say that it requires standardization. Who knows? It might be this lack of standardization that is the reason we haven't seen Photoshop on Linux yet, as opposed to them deciding to bring it on when standards are agreed upon and adhered to. Possibly, Adobe has been the ones patiently waiting.
You are in a maze of little twisting passages, all different.
Maybe. Adobe might be under some pressure for a fully native Photoshop from the likes of Disney, who have put work into WINE in order to get PS under Linux. I'm sure they'd prefer a native release. OTOH, perhaps the success of PS under WINE makes a full Linux release less necessary.
By taking part in this initiative, Adobe may well end up with the ammunition to turn around and say there's no way they can even contemplate a Linux PS until proper standards exist. Even more ammo if the initiative descends into petty wrangling or is poorly supported.
Either way, a big problem for PS under Linux is going to be around things like colour management. Serious photographers won't touch it unless their hardware calibration tools work.
Sigs are so 1990s. No way would I be seen dead with one.