Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on February 14, 2007 12:26 AM
Thanks for the hint. I already knew about it. In fact, before Nautilus became a sane file manager I was using Thomas Leonard's Rox. So I really like his work and noted 0install rather early.
Unfortunately, while 0install is indeed a decentralized system, it also has (at least) two problems.
The first is its lack of usability: For example, users are used to klick a web page button to download (or install) an application. 0installs needs some command line magic or a drag'n'drop operation. This is not obvious. Also, if you would like to de-install an application, you are expected to "open the cache". What is this and how do you open it? When you look at its tutorial from a usability point of view, you'll note a lot of stuff that's confusing.
The second problem is its total dependency on the network: I may be mistaken but there seems to be no way to burn a few applications on a CD and give that to your friend. This is an important use case for regions with bad internet access. It's also important for Linux magazine -- their frontcover CDs are rather boring right now. Being able to get software without using the Internet is also important for certain (older) users: They like to be able to go into a real shop and buy the required software without studing technical and complicted web pages.
The usability flaws may be solved but the second issue seems to remain a problem I believe. Thus, I consider 0install to be valueable experiment but it doesn't seem to be a solution to the current mmarketing (ie. distribution) problems of Linux desktop applications.
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0install looks interesting but ...
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on February 14, 2007 12:26 AMUnfortunately, while 0install is indeed a decentralized system, it also has (at least) two problems.
The first is its lack of usability: For example, users are used to klick a web page button to download (or install) an application. 0installs needs some command line magic or a drag'n'drop operation. This is not obvious. Also, if you would like to de-install an application, you are expected to "open the cache". What is this and how do you open it? When you look at its tutorial from a usability point of view, you'll note a lot of stuff that's confusing.
The second problem is its total dependency on the network: I may be mistaken but there seems to be no way to burn a few applications on a CD and give that to your friend. This is an important use case for regions with bad internet access. It's also important for Linux magazine -- their frontcover CDs are rather boring right now. Being able to get software without using the Internet is also important for certain (older) users: They like to be able to go into a real shop and buy the required software without studing technical and complicted web pages.
The usability flaws may be solved but the second issue seems to remain a problem I believe. Thus, I consider 0install to be valueable experiment but it doesn't seem to be a solution to the current mmarketing (ie. distribution) problems of Linux desktop applications.
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