Some closed components perhaps? The Interesting thing about the Apache 2.0 license is the patent grant, seems like they want it the parts they release out there without reservation.
The question you need to ask yourself is: "Do I really have rights if ignore the popularity contest". Rights are recognized by society, not granted by government or the Creator.
Release a sandboxed-to-complete-hell-and-back version of IE6 with ActiveX, problem solved.
So essentially a copy of XP in a virtual machine? I doubt you could untangle ActiveX from the underlaying OS without breaking half of the apps that rely on it.
How am I supposed to type out unicode expressions on my keyboard, without typing in the whole 4 digit number?
No, just like you don't have to enter a bunch of whitespace now, if you use an editor that has some awareness of the language you use. You could, for example, enter '=>' for an arrow '==' for 224D or 2261, pi for it's symbol, etc. and let the editor deal with the magic. It wouldn't affect input as much as readability (IMHO, in a positive way).
And if I want to address a unicode-named variable, but I forgot the magical number to make it appear.. then what? Copy paste?
Well, you could always disallow it in variable names, after all, most ASCII symbols aren't legal in the variable names in most languages.
Which seems to directly contradict what you're claiming is so inevitable.
I didn't claim app store would be the only way, the point is about lockdown, not the precise mechanism. Of course pretty soon it *will* be about the only way for your average shareware/freeware developer even without that.
Besides which, again, those companies are *not* going to live with the instability of the Apple review process.
No, why would you? Contracts are effective for keeping big companies in check. That is much harder with the small fry.
They're far more likely to just abandon the OSX platform entirely, as it's just not worth the trouble to find yourself relying on a third party as part of your product release process.
And for much of the niche Apple wouldn't have a reason to care.
Eliminate their business market? Despite their growth in that space?
There is growth, and there is the explosion they are experiencing with iOS. Heavily overpriced enterprise options are likely to remain, but if they can maximize their profit in the consumer desktops and laptops by damaging the enterprise line, it would be right on par where Apple is going (appliance computing).
b) really really fucking stupid.
Really, really effective at milking the masses would be closer to the truth.
If Apple decide to lock down (and that doesn't seem too unlikely from the way things are going) GNUstep might actually start moving forward at any speed.
You forgot where Apple leaves you sitting on your development costs when they (more or less) arbitrary deny you the ability to sell through the app store. They have next to no risk, the dev has it all, unless they can actually carve a channel parallel to the app store. And how many small developers will be able to do that?
What if a developer "goes rogue," and intentionally puts a Trojan in their update?
It's not "theirs" if they make it a generally usable API. A ton of apps already have their own updaters, the correct way is to let them through a common system without going through Apple. There isn't any more risk, since developers can already do pretty much anything when you run their apps.
I'm no fan of Apple's walled garden, but this is clearly a CYA move, rather than a misguided attempt at preserving "experience".
Bull, it wouldn't be any different then any other API because there is no reason to somehow guide updates through Apple, they literally wouldn't be involved in the process of third party apps. But I can certainly see you using the same logic if (when?) the whole platform gets locked down, since it applies in exactly the same way.
Just like if you want you programs to be included in a Linux repository you submit it to the repository maintainer.
And just like with sane GNU/Linux distros you can set up your own, give the user the address and it will work together with the "official" repositories... No wait, you don't seem to be able to.
First argument is pretty solid for why they can't do it right now and probably will wait another release or two. It all depends on just how popular the app store proves to be. Lots of developers agreeing to give up control is a necessary precondition. Big and established software might get app store exceptions while still being signed (for a modest flat fee?).
The lockdown doesn't need to be perfect by any means, the iPhone certainly has never lacked jailbreaks. It just needs to inconvenient and fringe... and void the warranty. Furthermore it's not OS X per se that would need to be crippled, call it iOS X, OS 11, whatever, big marketing push emphasizing security (particularly helpful if exploits start appearing in the wild) between now and then and quality. "No, this isn't OS X, but it still just works for everything you need, just like your iPhone and iPad."
In fact, it doesn't even need to replace it, introduce it as an option and either let OS X stagnate. Give extra features to developers and they will leave OS X in the dust for the new, shiny thing like they have done with the last version on every OS X update.
Apropos letting OS X stagnate, the way iOS devices have impacted profits the desktop like might stagnate even if it is left open...
Seriously, try to imagine locking down OSX in such a way that you cannot install apps without using their store. That means not writing files in key places and not allowing executables.
Why wouldn't they? No, seriously, why not? If they can get enough app developers on a locked platform then there will be no reason not to. It's inline with Job's vision of the computing appliance and Apple's financial interests.
Now, if you're going into hypotheticals, they *might* in the future remove the traditional distribution, thus breaking all software that all their customers have ever bought for earlier versions of the Mac, and alienating every big developer out there that currently publish on the platform (Microsoft, Valve, AutoCAD, etc).
You are saying that as if Apple has not broken things in a similar fashion before. No, it never was a clean break, there was backwards compatibility that eventually faded away and all the old stuff was replaced in a few years. This wouldn't have to happen any faster.
Slashdot Mirror
Some closed components perhaps? The Interesting thing about the Apache 2.0 license is the patent grant, seems like they want it the parts they release out there without reservation.
Must be the default before Javascript calculates it...
Until they hack the power grid...
Make that: "Do I really have any more or less rights just by the virtue of ignoring the popularity contest."
The question you need to ask yourself is: "Do I really have rights if ignore the popularity contest". Rights are recognized by society, not granted by government or the Creator.
Do you think you have the right to open mail addressed to your spouse.
So essentially a copy of XP in a virtual machine? I doubt you could untangle ActiveX from the underlaying OS without breaking half of the apps that rely on it.
No, just like you don't have to enter a bunch of whitespace now, if you use an editor that has some awareness of the language you use. You could, for example, enter '=>' for an arrow '==' for 224D or 2261, pi for it's symbol, etc. and let the editor deal with the magic. It wouldn't affect input as much as readability (IMHO, in a positive way).
Well, you could always disallow it in variable names, after all, most ASCII symbols aren't legal in the variable names in most languages.
This is not a car, the amount of force doesn't even begin to compare, this is walking into someone by accident.
Someone else linked to this Siemens article. Note the guy using one.
Look at the picture of the guy using one...
I didn't claim app store would be the only way, the point is about lockdown, not the precise mechanism. Of course pretty soon it *will* be about the only way for your average shareware/freeware developer even without that.
No, why would you? Contracts are effective for keeping big companies in check. That is much harder with the small fry.
And for much of the niche Apple wouldn't have a reason to care.
There is growth, and there is the explosion they are experiencing with iOS. Heavily overpriced enterprise options are likely to remain, but if they can maximize their profit in the consumer desktops and laptops by damaging the enterprise line, it would be right on par where Apple is going (appliance computing).
Really, really effective at milking the masses would be closer to the truth.
If Apple decide to lock down (and that doesn't seem too unlikely from the way things are going) GNUstep might actually start moving forward at any speed.
You forgot where Apple leaves you sitting on your development costs when they (more or less) arbitrary deny you the ability to sell through the app store. They have next to no risk, the dev has it all, unless they can actually carve a channel parallel to the app store. And how many small developers will be able to do that?
It's not "theirs" if they make it a generally usable API. A ton of apps already have their own updaters, the correct way is to let them through a common system without going through Apple. There isn't any more risk, since developers can already do pretty much anything when you run their apps.
Bull, it wouldn't be any different then any other API because there is no reason to somehow guide updates through Apple, they literally wouldn't be involved in the process of third party apps. But I can certainly see you using the same logic if (when?) the whole platform gets locked down, since it applies in exactly the same way.
And just like with sane GNU/Linux distros you can set up your own, give the user the address and it will work together with the "official" repositories... No wait, you don't seem to be able to.
A centralized update mechanism is a reasonable feature (and should have been there a long time ago), why not let applications hook into?
Nice to see you didn't read past the first sentence.
What makes you believe that Apple cares? Look at where their profits come from.
First argument is pretty solid for why they can't do it right now and probably will wait another release or two. It all depends on just how popular the app store proves to be. Lots of developers agreeing to give up control is a necessary precondition. Big and established software might get app store exceptions while still being signed (for a modest flat fee?).
The lockdown doesn't need to be perfect by any means, the iPhone certainly has never lacked jailbreaks. It just needs to inconvenient and fringe... and void the warranty. Furthermore it's not OS X per se that would need to be crippled, call it iOS X, OS 11, whatever, big marketing push emphasizing security (particularly helpful if exploits start appearing in the wild) between now and then and quality. "No, this isn't OS X, but it still just works for everything you need, just like your iPhone and iPad."
In fact, it doesn't even need to replace it, introduce it as an option and either let OS X stagnate. Give extra features to developers and they will leave OS X in the dust for the new, shiny thing like they have done with the last version on every OS X update.
Apropos letting OS X stagnate, the way iOS devices have impacted profits the desktop like might stagnate even if it is left open...
So, a jail then?
Yes. However they are not fundamentally different. Switching to "something like iOS" doesn't mean much since OS X is a lot like iOS.
Oh, finally, someone will actually give a reason instead of just implying that they have one!
Why wouldn't they? No, seriously, why not? If they can get enough app developers on a locked platform then there will be no reason not to. It's inline with Job's vision of the computing appliance and Apple's financial interests.
You are saying that as if Apple has not broken things in a similar fashion before. No, it never was a clean break, there was backwards compatibility that eventually faded away and all the old stuff was replaced in a few years. This wouldn't have to happen any faster.
You do realize that iOS isn't far removed from OS X, right?