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Only enterprise and developers can bypass Windows Store for Metro apps

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Re: Only enterprise and developers can bypass Windows Store for Metro apps

#3
Microsoft controlling what software you can run on Windows used to be the reductio ad absurdum I used to argue against the iOS model. Now Android is the only platform standing between us and a Right to Read world (http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html).

Re: Only enterprise and developers can bypass Windows Store for Metro apps

#4

Microsoft controlling what software you can run on Windows used to be the reductio ad absurdum I used to argue against the iOS model. Now Android is the only platform standing between us and a Right to Read world ( http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html ).

If Microsoft were to shut down the other channels, that would be true. However, nothing stops you from making a traditional windows app. It just won't run with the Metro UI.

Re: Only enterprise and developers can bypass Windows Store for Metro apps

#5

Microsoft controlling what software you can run on Windows used to be the reductio ad absurdum I used to argue against the iOS model. Now Android is the only platform standing between us and a Right to Read world ( http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html ).

Well, if you don't count Linux, the BSDs, webapps and even the venerable freedos (yes, somebody did clone DOS http://www.freedos.org/ and yes it runs the old DOS programs) I guess you are right.

Re: Only enterprise and developers can bypass Windows Store for Metro apps

#6

Microsoft controlling what software you can run on Windows used to be the reductio ad absurdum I used to argue against the iOS model. Now Android is the only platform standing between us and a Right to Read world ( http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html ).

Just until the day when it moves to the hardware level, where your hardware will refuse to run certain processes unless they are digitally signed. Good times.

See also "Intel Trusted Execution Technology": http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/intel-trusted-execu...

Re: Only enterprise and developers can bypass Windows Store for Metro apps

#7
post #4

Microsoft controlling what software you can run on Windows used to be the reductio ad absurdum I used to argue against the iOS model. Now Android is the only platform standing between us and a Right to Read world ( http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html ).

If Microsoft were to shut down the other channels, that would be true. However, nothing stops you from making a traditional windows app. It just won't run with the Metro UI.

Which is barely a defense: Metro is the future of Windows applications and I doubt users will be very excited about their ability to install "traditional" apps.

I'm surprised that Microsoft beat Apple to locking down their desktop OS in the style of iOS, but in either case this is extremely disturbing.

Re: Only enterprise and developers can bypass Windows Store for Metro apps

#9
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If Microsoft were to shut down the other channels, that would be true. However, nothing stops you from making a traditional windows app. It just won't run with the Metro UI.

Which is barely a defense: Metro is the future of Windows applications and I doubt users will be very excited about their ability to install "traditional" apps. I'm surprised that Microsoft beat Apple to locking down their desktop OS in the style of iOS, but in either case this is extremely disturbing.

It's too early to call the desktop-lockdown race between Microsoft and Apple. Microsoft may be locking down a broader class of apps with their Metro restrictions, but Apple already has their locked-down desktop store up and running.
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