undefined | Better HN

0 pointsmch825y ago0 comments

I don’t understand why people complain instead of taking FOSS they like, packaging it as an app, distributing it on the App Store & publishing the source. Does Apple prohibit that?

I remember the days of very little Apple compatible software on the shelf at retailers, and no games. I was probably one of the first students to use a MacBook with OSX for CSCI 101 because many classes required Windows. That was lack of freedom. The App Store has more software than any other distribution channel at any point in my life.

Edit: I also love freedom from malware, which I understand is probably a temporary situation. But it’s been a good run so far.

0 comments

Wowfunhappy5y ago

> I don’t understand why people complain instead of taking FOSS they like, packaging it as an app, distributing it on the App Store & publishing the source. Does Apple prohibit that?

Apple does not, but the GPL does.

mch82OP5y ago

If the source of the app is released by the author, what about GPL prohibits this?

Edit: I ask because I’m curious to learn and because many systems run apps that are GPL without the whole system being GPL. For example, I love using GIMP on Windows.

Wowfunhappy5y ago

Section 6 of the GPLv2 states:

> You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.

This conflicts with the App Store's Terms of Service, particularly it's "Usage Rules". https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/more-about-the-app-store...

This is of course different from merely running GPL software on a proprietary OS. In fact, iOS ships with GPL software on board.

1 more reply

user-the-name5y ago

Note that this applies only if you are using GPL software owned by other people.

If you write entirely your own code, and include only more freely licensed dependencies, you can release your own code under the GPL and still distribute it on the App Store.

Wowfunhappy5y ago

Sure, but that's only because if it's your own code, you don't have to follow any rules at all. You can do whatever the heck you want, up to and including making the whole thing closed source.

heavyset_go5y ago

Apple will remove software from the App Store if they get a whiff of it including GPL code.

mixmastamyk5y ago

It costs time and money to do that. Who is gonna port, pay, and gonna do it?

mch82OP5y ago

I understand it will take effort and don’t have answers for those questions.

ddingus5y ago

This is all a lot cheaper on open systems. Just saying.

Eric Raymond explained why: use value. Open systems can be exploited easily and the people who use them get high use value because of all that.

Incentives to port and build on known open systems are stronger, barriers to access lower.

Result: more FOSS on said system

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsmch825y ago0 comments

I don’t understand why people complain instead of taking FOSS they like, packaging it as an app, distributing it on the App Store & publishing the source. Does Apple prohibit that?

Edit: I also love freedom from malware, which I understand is probably a temporary situation. But it’s been a good run so far.

0 comments

Wowfunhappy5y ago

> I don’t understand why people complain instead of taking FOSS they like, packaging it as an app, distributing it on the App Store & publishing the source. Does Apple prohibit that?

Apple does not, but the GPL does.

mch82OP5y ago

If the source of the app is released by the author, what about GPL prohibits this?

Edit: I ask because I’m curious to learn and because many systems run apps that are GPL without the whole system being GPL. For example, I love using GIMP on Windows.

Wowfunhappy5y ago

Section 6 of the GPLv2 states:

> You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.

This conflicts with the App Store's Terms of Service, particularly it's "Usage Rules". https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/more-about-the-app-store...

This is of course different from merely running GPL software on a proprietary OS. In fact, iOS ships with GPL software on board.

1 more reply

user-the-name5y ago

Note that this applies only if you are using GPL software owned by other people.

If you write entirely your own code, and include only more freely licensed dependencies, you can release your own code under the GPL and still distribute it on the App Store.

Wowfunhappy5y ago

Sure, but that's only because if it's your own code, you don't have to follow any rules at all. You can do whatever the heck you want, up to and including making the whole thing closed source.

heavyset_go5y ago

Apple will remove software from the App Store if they get a whiff of it including GPL code.

mixmastamyk5y ago

It costs time and money to do that. Who is gonna port, pay, and gonna do it?

mch82OP5y ago

I understand it will take effort and don’t have answers for those questions.

ddingus5y ago

This is all a lot cheaper on open systems. Just saying.

Eric Raymond explained why: use value. Open systems can be exploited easily and the people who use them get high use value because of all that.

Incentives to port and build on known open systems are stronger, barriers to access lower.

Result: more FOSS on said system

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse