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There is MacPorts, Fink, homebrew and probably other systems that are like Ubunutu's apt, deb, and other linuxes rpm (and other) systems.
What's the point?
Also as other people have mentioned there is Steam on Windows, Impulse, used to be GameTap, and lots of other digital download stores.
> But if we are to follow precedence set by other Apple products, the Mac will become more closed than ever, with the Web as our only option to access the outside world. Much like the iPhone and the iPad. As a Mac owner, the writing is on the wall, a closed computer is my future. Em, the "other Apple products" mentioned were never open to begin with. And they are not general purpose computers. The Mac, on the other h…
XCode is not built-in. You have to download it. It is free but you still have to make that effort.
> But if we are to follow precedence set by other Apple products, the Mac will become more closed than ever, with the Web as our only option to access the outside world. Much like the iPhone and the iPad. As a Mac owner, the writing is on the wall, a closed computer is my future. Em, the "other Apple products" mentioned were never open to begin with. And they are not general purpose computers. The Mac, on the other h…
Em, the "other Apple products" mentioned were never open to begin with. Right, which indicates that Steve's preference is for closed systems. Every argument Apple makes in favor of locking down iOS devices applies equally well to Macs. And they are not general purpose computers. Only because of artificial limitations. I don't see a "closed computer" in the near future... I believe with 60% probability that by the end…
Even if there are a lot of users that wouldn't object to the Mac being a closed platform, developers would. Developers want root access to their development machine. Apple doesn't want to lose developer support, because they know that it is the lifeblood of the platform.
I'd make the exact opposite prediction. I think it's more likely that iOS will allow sideloading than that Mac OS will forbid installation of software other than through the App Store. On the other hand, I can see both platforms moving toward a system where it is locked down by default, but it is trivial, and officially supported, for the user to allow installing software through unapproved sources.
> But if we are to follow precedence set by other Apple products, the Mac will become more closed than ever, with the Web as our only option to access the outside world. Much like the iPhone and the iPad. As a Mac owner, the writing is on the wall, a closed computer is my future. Em, the "other Apple products" mentioned were never open to begin with. And they are not general purpose computers. The Mac, on the other h…
However, there is no built-in way to prevent copying of the apps (other than in iOS, there is no DRM!). In fact, free apps aren't even supposed to check for the receipt and you are explicitly free to install your bought apps on as many computers as you own.
Moreover, Apple has officially touted the App Store to be one of many distribution channels and Apple in no way prevents you from using different channels such as packet managers, regular online distribution, self compiled source downloads, shop-bought boxed software, or whatever you like.
So, the App Store in no way restricts your right to use or install software on your Mac. I don't see how this makes the Mac 'more closed'.
I just don't see it.
> But if we are to follow precedence set by other Apple products, the Mac will become more closed than ever, with the Web as our only option to access the outside world. Much like the iPhone and the iPad. As a Mac owner, the writing is on the wall, a closed computer is my future.
What's all the rage? It's an application distribution platform. You can still and will still be able to install applications of your choosing. The operating system is still and will still be largely open source (http://opensource.apple.com/). Compared to Microsoft and Windows, OS X is a paragon of openness.
Will Apple encourage people to use the App Store? No doubt. But that doesn't mean the door is closed to other distribution methods.
The fact remains that the operating system is far from closed, and there doesn't seem to be ANY indication that that will change in the near or even distant future; it would serve very little purpose as Apple does not have a commanding market share with OS X.
Thought Windows was already going to adopt it in Windows 8. I think the Mac app store would encourage a lot of adware(aka spyware) because consumers like free apps and developers would like a steady revenue stream.
While most of my Windows use is confined to snapshot'ed VMs, I still don't download or use closed-source Windows software of any kind, free or otherwise. Spyware and malware have ruined the market for free-and-ad-supported, freemium, and nearly-free Windows software. A heavily curated and controlled Windows software market could improve the signal-to-noise ratio for low-cost windows apps from legitimate developers.
It seems like ever since the conception of iPhone people have worried that somehow OS X will merge with iOS and the desktop platform will be completely closed and therefore dead, leaving only Windows and Linux. I just don't see it. > But if we are to follow precedence set by other Apple products, the Mac will become more closed than ever, with the Web as our only option to access the outside world. Much like the iPho…
Did he seriously write that entire article without bringing up Steam? Wake up and smell the coffee, Windows users: you've had an app store for seven years now, and its primary target (gamers) are actually pretty damn happy with it now. If they branched out and sold regular apps (not that they would, it seems too dilutive for the brand) you'd basically have a pretty competent Windows App Store. (I can see it now: "Ach…