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0 pointsgjsman-10009mo ago0 comments

Every other platform.

Windows, Mac? Bundle your own updater. Or use Steam. Download one file and run with a click.

PlayStation? Nintendo? Submit it, wait about two weeks, and out it goes.

The Linux desktop is single handedly the worst distribution platform for an app developer, both in fragmentation and being unable to update your own software. The Linux desktop also had the arrogance to claim developers should do it their preferred way; and to harass devs for using tools like Flatpak. Then they wonder and complain and can’t understand why devs refuse to make Linux versions even for cross-platform frameworks.

The idea that someone like Adobe should make a package for each distribution, and negotiate with each distribution if they are sending out some ancient version of Acrobat, was a stupid power-trip philosophy on day one with none of the clout required. Even Apple doesn’t reserve the right to stonewall releases purely because of version numbers.

0 comments

jollyllama9mo ago

> Windows, Mac

You're neglecting all the parts where you've got to sign your install binaries.

> Steam

This is a third party marketplace that exists specifically to solve this problem and it carries all the baggage of any other third party marketplace, in the abstract.

> Video games

I'm not really shipping in these environments but I doubt it's that easy.

> Apple

They will happily stonewall you on many other small issues, however.

gjsman-1000OP9mo ago

> You're neglecting all the parts where you've got to sign your install binaries.

This takes less than 15 minutes when you know how to do it. Arguing with a distribution takes weeks. Arguing with dozens of distributions could take months.

You are approaching this solely as a solo indie dev would - which is why, with few exceptions, only solo dev software is on Linux.

> They will happily stonewall you on many other small issues, however.

You should see even a fraction of what developers on Linux have been stonewalled over. I will literally take Apple.

zevon9mo ago

Who or what is this "the Linux desktop" you speak of? ;)

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