WebSite Information > Article Discussions
App Store Ranting
Martin Iturbide:
Hi.
I think different on this topic. I'm against the "App Store" exclusively controlled by a single company and locked that you can not choose a different one, but not against the "App Store" concept. App Stores are an easy way to find and install software on a platform for the user. A user accessing ANPM for the first time does not even understand what to install or what software does what. (which it does not mean I'm against ANPM), but ANPM it is like a tool made for a person that used before and understand RPM/YUM.
I know it is hard to think different, but I think that having a new OS distro is not only having the same old OS/2 running on new hardware. We need to grow the user base instead of only thinking what it fits for me is fine.
But just in case it still think is more important to start the open source cloning of GPI, PM and CPI. I still think that we need to get rid of IBM old code to reduce the risk of be left high and dry just like IBM and Mensys did.
Regards
Note: I splitted the topic because of the feedback.
Lewis Rosenthal:
Sorry I missed this, Martin...
I think the concept you were originally trying to convey and the concept of an app store are slightly different.
If you'd like an app store on OS/2, you should stick with eCo Market from eCo Soft.
Now, what ANPM will become over time is a single point of entry for software management and updates. By integrating WarpIN support and support for local and remote caches of WarpIN archives, ANPM becomes the referee between RPM-deployed software and WarpIN-deployed software, minimizing conflicts and duplication.
So, even if you were to go "shopping" for an app in an app store on OS/2, you'd still need a method to install your download and ensure that it did not conflict with something else already installed, as well as a way to handle updates to that software just "purchased." This is ANPM's role.
An app store, OTOH, fills a different kind of niche, providing a more browser-like experience, allowing the shopper to see screenshots, read reviews, handle checkout, and ultimately, download purchased goods. Some of these cross boundaries and blur the lines, because they will maintain databases of purchased software, advise of available updates, and perhaps even handle the install, but they are always (or should always be) limited to the offerings in the store, and not meant to replace a system software manager.
Sergey Posokhov:
--- Quote ---eCo Market from eCo Soft...
--- End quote ---
Now in Google.
Jan-Erik Lärka:
I'm fed up with searching for software everywhere, I want as many sources and formats in one convenient place with info, description etc. so I can try them out.
eCo Market is the tool that can evolve into what you ask for Martin with some adjustments.
It should switch to use one or more services/databases that list packages, software and tools (rpm/yum, eCSoft/2 etc.).
App stores provide more info than a container with package names, usually with info/a description and something like an Icon/image that associate the product so the user know what it is.
I've had a conversation about it and seen interest, but the developer need "encouragement" to rewrite it and adjust the current design to something more. Your input may therefore be important how it should evolve.
I understand that it would be very good to have all applications and all installations registered in one placed and handled by one software.
An app store shouldn't itself handle any installation, but rather hand that over to the actual installer(s), such as ANPM (YUM/RPM-based*), WarpIn etc.
Even plain .zip/.rar/.arj-packages may be of interest as seen with eCo Market.
For that we need a way to call the installers to actually install the requested package(s).
I requested a command line/other method to installation of a specific package in ANPM to just make it "the installer", but... for now an App Store can rely on YUM/RPM in the time being, until such features will be available just as WarpIn has to be the choice for .wpi packages, for now.
.exe-files should just be launched (after a virus scan?) and rexx scripts may handle other formats etc.
*) Doug Bissett: ANPM is nothing like an app store, it install things from a long list of package names.
One usually have to find documentation and install/update support libraries separately.
It will change as applications will be introduced into ANPM, I'm sure.
Regards,
//Jan-Erik
Doug Bissett:
--- Quote ---*) Doug Bissett: ANPM is nothing like an app store, it install things from a long list of package names.
One usually have to find documentation and install/update support libraries separately.
It will change as applications will be introduced into ANPM, I'm sure.
--- End quote ---
ANPM was never meant to be either an installer, or an app store. It is meant to make it easy to use RPM/YUM (now), and (eventually) WarpIn. RPM/YUM or WarpIn (including the EXE versions of WarpIn installers) do the install, and the package management on the user's system.
Arca Noae does have an app store of sorts, where the user can find software https://www.arcanoae.com/shop/. There isn't much there yet, but a user can go to the web site, and find what is available. What more do you really need, or want (other than more stuff listed)? There is certainly no need for a program to do that, a web site is more than sufficient.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version