Almost exactly two years ago I asked myself the question whether app stores are a threat to FOSS culture. I have then considered in relation to Android which stands for “free” programs I so on my phone have and what would a developer like Mario Kemper motivates his program not only free to distribute as freeware, but also the source code under the GPL .make The Software Center previously offered no 0815-apps that Photobomb is now changing.

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I am then come to the conclusion that Linux would buy. Also, large / known free programs like Google Earth, Skype or Adobe Reader could be marketed like about this without adding sources and frickeling. 0815-but simple apps for € 1.99 as we know it from the Android Market or iTunes? Honestly: No thanks, let us develop better software together we can learn from and can arise from the new license-free thanks.

Canonical is now with the “buy apps” of the Software Center followed more or less this way. To buy, there are a couple of games and indie labels are free Skype or Adobe Reader to. But the feared 0815-Apps so far failed to materialize. Until today … Today, Canonical has added to the program Photobomb software center for a price of 2.99.

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Bomb is a “fun-image processing,” which was written as a hobby project of Ubuntu developer Rick Spencer, a wealth of information about the program can be found in blog of “Raving Rick”. The Appifikation of Ubuntu so now definitely begun, we see in the future more simple programs that are distributed through the Software Center? The fart app for 99 cents? The Weather widget for 2,99 € and the alarm clock with trendy folding numbers for € 5.49? The sheer base of users is there, so be worthwhile to develop such a mini-apps for Ubuntu might.

As for me personally

Photobomb wonder: The program continues to operate under the GPL and may be the developer of the PPA free and thus easily installed using the package management of Ubuntu. So now will pay only for beginners with no experience of the program? Of course, this approach allows the GPL, even more so if the author himself authorized the sale of the Software Center and will share in the profits. But this game with two faces I find strange, you either sells the program properly and puts it under a proprietary license, or see to it that houses the program in Debian and thus complete the Linux world what it has. But the current practice is in conflict, in my view of fairness that Linux has been honored forever.

/ / PS: heise open apps has taken up with the theme for Ubuntu also.

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