undefined | Better HN

0 pointsflatline313y ago0 comments

Workspaces? You mean virtual desktops? Those date back 1986, implemented at Xerox PARC (and patented!).

As for appstores, I assume you're talking about the packaging systems, which are similar only if viewed from 50,000 feet.

The packaging systems were not stores. You couldn't buy packages. They didn't serve as an agent to sell other people's personally submitted packages. They had "apps" but no "store". The applications weren't sandboxed to make it relatively safe for them to sell 3rd-party submitted packages. The applications were expected to be open-source.

The only similarity to the app stores is that they had a repository of software and an automated installation system used to install it.

0 comments

MatthewPhillips13y ago

You got me on workspaces, I wasn't aware of the Xerox implementation.

I didn't mean packaging, I meant app stores, see Lindows and CNR.

flatline3OP13y ago

Wasn't CNR just an subscription-based package repository service?

MatthewPhillips13y ago

No, it was an app store like we know them today. Here's article from the founder (also the founder of MP3.com):

http://www.michaelrobertson.com/archive.php?minute_id=340

batista13y ago

Plus the dependencies. With app stores you (usually) get one program and that's it. It works. With package systems you have to install several dependencies for each, sometimes an absurd number (say, 100 packages to get Gnome). And then there's dependency problems (had my share in Debian at older times).

gizzlon13y ago

At the core, dependencies are a good thing, although there's downsides to that as well.

I have no experience with desktop app stores, but you wouldn't get Gnome and similar large and complex software from one, would you? Which makes your comparison pretty unfair.

batista13y ago

Well, I got Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store, which is even bigger than Gnome (kernel + userland + stuff).

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsflatline313y ago0 comments

Workspaces? You mean virtual desktops? Those date back 1986, implemented at Xerox PARC (and patented!).

As for appstores, I assume you're talking about the packaging systems, which are similar only if viewed from 50,000 feet.

The only similarity to the app stores is that they had a repository of software and an automated installation system used to install it.

0 comments

MatthewPhillips13y ago

You got me on workspaces, I wasn't aware of the Xerox implementation.

I didn't mean packaging, I meant app stores, see Lindows and CNR.

flatline3OP13y ago

Wasn't CNR just an subscription-based package repository service?

MatthewPhillips13y ago

No, it was an app store like we know them today. Here's article from the founder (also the founder of MP3.com):

http://www.michaelrobertson.com/archive.php?minute_id=340

batista13y ago

gizzlon13y ago

At the core, dependencies are a good thing, although there's downsides to that as well.

I have no experience with desktop app stores, but you wouldn't get Gnome and similar large and complex software from one, would you? Which makes your comparison pretty unfair.

batista13y ago

Well, I got Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store, which is even bigger than Gnome (kernel + userland + stuff).

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse