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Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

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Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#161

Post by baxtr »

djsumdog wrote: post #138

The Apple/Play stores are essentially a totally broken implementation of something that had existed for over a decade before: package repositories. It's embraced and extended Linux/BSD package/ports trees, except without things like the ability to add a 3rd party repository with other authors signing keys, pin certain versions, etc. https://battlepenguin.com/tech/android-fragmentation/#packag... We could go on about…

“Totally broken implementation” is very close to BS, at least strongly exaggerated. They’re both highly successful distribution models. Of course, every system has downsides. You’re free not to participate

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#162

Post by kyle-rb »

djsumdog wrote: post #138

The Apple/Play stores are essentially a totally broken implementation of something that had existed for over a decade before: package repositories. It's embraced and extended Linux/BSD package/ports trees, except without things like the ability to add a 3rd party repository with other authors signing keys, pin certain versions, etc. https://battlepenguin.com/tech/android-fragmentation/#packag... We could go on about…

Doesn't F-droid (and other stores) count as a '3rd party repository'?

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#163

Post by AnIdiotOnTheNet »

Santosh83 wrote: post #143
peterwwillis wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What you're asking for is technology literacy, similar to science literacy. Adults generally don't care to learn this stuff. But you can teach the next generation.

Yes, and the tech industry is already several decades old and multiple generations have come and gone, but today's tech consumers seem to be even less confident of poking behind the surface than those of the yesteryears. And do note that there was a point in history when even basic literacy belonged to a small few who argued in exactly the same manner than tech people do today, i.e., that most people will never be ab…

> but today's tech consumers seem to be even less confident of poking behind the surface than those of the yesteryears.

To be fair, I'm less confident poking around behind the surface because what used to be relatively straight forward has become --for various reasons, few of which are legitimate in my eyes-- absurdly complicated.

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#164

Post by [deleted] »

irjustin wrote: post #35

I know this will be against deeply against HNews but I'm open to discussion. I don't see anything wrong with this. Charging vs Donations, I don't see what the difference is. It's people paying money for good/services/software. The primary difference is the open ended pricing model. Google, Apple put up networks and there's value in that network. Whether someone chooses to release their app for free or charge money fo…

[deleted]

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#165

Post by flanbiscuit »

mschuster91 wrote: post #87
na85 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's fucking infuriating that the only way to get the attention of a human at Google is to know someone or to frontpage HN.

Or in Germany to get an emergency court order ("Einstweilige Verfügung"), dunno if the US has a similar legal venue. At least with an EV you get the immediate attention of their legal department.

Does GDPR cover these kind of issues where accounts/apps are demonetized or taken down because of some automated process mistake?

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#166

Post by caconym_ »

djsumdog wrote: post #138

The Apple/Play stores are essentially a totally broken implementation of something that had existed for over a decade before: package repositories. It's embraced and extended Linux/BSD package/ports trees, except without things like the ability to add a 3rd party repository with other authors signing keys, pin certain versions, etc. https://battlepenguin.com/tech/android-fragmentation/#packag... We could go on about…

The primary goal of package repositories is to make available the software users need. The primary goal of Apple/Play/whatever stores is to make money.

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#167

Post by AnIdiotOnTheNet »

gorgoiler wrote: post #76

Ugh, app stores! No one needs them for discovering new software. You go to the app store to get a specific piece of software you already know about and whose reputation you’ve already verified. No one needs them for code signing. If you want the real firefox.apk you can download it from https://firefox.com/ and notice a lack of SSL alarms going off. What’s the code signing for — to let me know that HTTPS works?! All…

Hear Hear. I'll take that in a non-phone version too please.

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#168

Post by bpfrh »

Spivak wrote: post #154
black_puppydog wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can even go along your last point. But it's a different argument to say "going through google is more efficient" or to say "you can't not go through google". Frankly, they're using their market dominant position to force free developers into a distribution model that serves them as the payment processor. I'd not go so far as to argue those are separate businesses, but it's really a blatant abuse of their power. Arg…

Why is it an abuse of their power? Google and Apple are essentially saying that if you use their store as a sales funnel then they take a 30% cut, and they enforce that by being the sole payment processor on the store. Basically Google and Apple both know that people will make more money by listing in their stores and taking a 30% cut than not listing at all.

For the same reason microsoft had to give you an option for the preinstalled browser.

As soon as you get a certain threeshold you become a monopoly, which essentialy means you controll who does business in that sector.

It should never be allowed to be a distributor as well as the owner of a marketplace.

It's the same problem with amazon marketplace and other similar things.

EDIT: Formatting

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#169

Post by Steltek »

djsumdog wrote: post #138

The Apple/Play stores are essentially a totally broken implementation of something that had existed for over a decade before: package repositories. It's embraced and extended Linux/BSD package/ports trees, except without things like the ability to add a 3rd party repository with other authors signing keys, pin certain versions, etc. https://battlepenguin.com/tech/android-fragmentation/#packag... We could go on about…

Don't conflate Apple's monopoly with Google's store. Anyone can go install F-Droid or Amazon or whatever on their Android phone. The only thing stopping people is satisfaction with the status quo and/or ignorance.

However, Apple totally rules their walled garden, with some added gross exploitation to boot (recent "Sherlocking" story for Luna Display).

Re: Open-source apps removed from Google Play Store due to donation links

#170

Post by [deleted] »

baxtr wrote: post #161
djsumdog wrote: post #138

The Apple/Play stores are essentially a totally broken implementation of something that had existed for over a decade before: package repositories. It's embraced and extended Linux/BSD package/ports trees, except without things like the ability to add a 3rd party repository with other authors signing keys, pin certain versions, etc. https://battlepenguin.com/tech/android-fragmentation/#packag... We could go on about…

“Totally broken implementation” is very close to BS, at least strongly exaggerated. They’re both highly successful distribution models. Of course, every system has downsides. You’re free not to participate

[deleted]
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