There are several things which take quite some getting used to when switching from any platform to the Mac. There are things like the universal menubar, the dock, Expose, and many more. One of the things that often leads to confusion for new users is the installation process for applications. Mozilla developer Alexander Limi talks about the problems Mozilla runs into when it comes to Firefox' installation process on the Mac, and a possible solution. Update: A possible solution?
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Member since:2005-09-27
I never cared for that method. Of Clicking the check box. Because if your app isn't on the list then it is a pain to install it. Apple solutions is a simple and elegant solution. And technically easy. You have a directory containing everything you need to run you copy that directory in an other directory.
The Linux library mean you can only used that distributions "PURE" software. Which means installed closed source application is a No-No or just open source apps that are not really popular that solves that once scratch you need to fix.
The Mac OS allows you really install any app from anywhere.
Member since:2005-07-06
First of all, most Linux application actually are on the list so, talking about the ones that are not, are not all that interesting to most Linux users.
Second, the Linux way is not much different from getting an App for your cell phone in Android or Apple App store, exept perhaps that it is not the Linux vender who desides who can add things to the list, like Apple do to their App Store. (One more lesson for Apple to learn).
Nothing prevents software vendors from putting the app on the list, by creating a repository of their own. Then the list could be extended by a simple mouse click in the webbrowser.
The application doesn't need to be open source to make use of this. E.g. Adobe uses this for Flash. You click on a link and a new Adobe repository is added.
Now, consider that most, or perhaps even all Linux distros have much less market share than Apple. This means that very few sofware venders care to port their software to Linux, and even fewer care to create proper install procedures, but Apple would have a much better chance of convince software vendors to use a Linuxlike package manager.
Member since:2005-11-21
My primary dev box is Debian Sid since 2000. Apt-Get/Dpkg and more routinely puke on policy changes and much more.
The brain dead solution for Apple creating a bundle where Firefox keeps all dylibs from 3rd parties is straight forward.
Now Firefox could request Apple to include more 3rd party libs they have build depends against. How far they get would probably depend on how far Firefox moves to using Cocoa's AppKit/Foundation Kits.
Member since:2006-02-11
+ I want to install "Gobli gobli" application on Linux. Which check box should I click?
- That application is suck because it's not GPL.
+ That's not the point. I want to install that application!
- Well, first you must create a petition to the creator to make it GPL. After the application become GPL, you will see the check box for installing the application 5 years later.
Member since:2008-07-14
Yes, that's true, but considering the typical dependencies problems derived from having all the shared libraries, etc. maybe in Mac Os X It'd fit better another system like the one used in PC-BSD where all the packages are statically compiled.
Sorry for my bad English.
Edited 2009-09-19 11:48 UTC
Member since:
2005-07-06
Yes, installing apps on OS-X is very simple indeed, but Apple could still learn a lot from most Linux distros where it usualy is as easy as checking a checkbox.