So I use Linux. No, not GNU/Linux. Not “Free Software”. I use Linux, specifically Ubuntu Linux. And I use it because it is excellent.
Before using Linux, I used Windows. But there were always things that I disliked. Like finding new software, or burning a DVD, or… The list goes on. The day I discovered apt-get, I fell in love. I’m also a programmer, and programming on linux is so much easier! Fire up a text editor, write some code, compile some code, run some code. All from an awesome terminal.
But enough about how Linux is generally awesome.
Some people have iPhones. I think they’re nice, but a little too locked-down for me. That said, I’d like to write an application for one; I think I have a few neat ideas, and I’d also like to experiment with some UI design concepts. So, how does one get started?
Well, for a start, I’ll need to be able to let people download my app. That means I need to purchase an account from Apple.
Wait, what? I order to enhance the user experience for everyone who owns an iPhone, by writing ridiculously cool apps, I need to pay Apple. Then, when I sell my applications, which I can only do so through their store, they’ll take a cut.
Thats ridiculous! If they want to take a slice from my app, fair enough, but making me pay for the privilege of making them money? Thats a step too far.
But let’s suppose I buy myself a developer account. Now I can write software, right? Wrong. Even though the languages and libraries I need to use are all standardized, in order to use them I’ll need to BUY A MAC. I have an account, I have linux. I have all I need to write software, right here. But I can’t do it unless I use the right operating system. In this case, Mac OSX Leopard.
But thats fine, I’ll purchase leopard. But oh no, thats not enough. Even though leopard runs on exactly the same hardware I have on my pc, I’m not allowed to run it. I can only run it on a mac. Why? Because they link their hardware and their software. Even windows was better than this!
If I wanted to develop for windows, I’d fire up my windows virtual machine, and develop in windows. If I want to develop in linux, I’d fire up my linux virtual machine, and develop in linux. Notice what they’ve got in common? Neither of them requires any sort of hardware to run. I can run either OS on a virtual machine, and run the other at the same time. Cross-platform compatible development, made easy!
So why can’t I just run Leopard in a virtual machine? Its not hard; I can emulate all sorts of hardware in my virtual machine. But Apple says no. In order to start development AT ALL, I’d need to get a Mac Mini; starting from the great price of $1000Aud.
So boys and girls, whats my point? My point is that if I want to give Apple money for developing on their new iPhone, I need to pay them over $1100Aud.
Anyone for an Android?
Nick Apple, Development
