When you say “app”, I assume you’re talking about mobile; is that correct? Even if you consider all non-server software, even stuff that runs on desktops, I think it’s still pretty miniscule (I don’t have numbers to back it up).
In my opinion, the reason that open source software has made so little inroads into consumer-facing applications generally is that it’s relatively easy (and fun) to get software about 80% “finished” (perhaps in lines of code), and relatively hard (and boring) to get the last 20%. That 20% represents things like a polished, consistent user interface and good end user documentation. Usually, only a profit motive is enough to get developers through that boring, hard part. As far as mobile apps go, we at least started out with a less sophisticated user base (phone users) than we had with desktop and laptop users, so software and its installation have got to be incredibly easy in order to attract users. For the most part, this means “app stores”, primarily the iTunes Store and Google Play. The iTunes store requires going through the difficult and uncertain process of getting an app approved in order for someone to even be able to use it, even if it is free. The only alternative is “jailbreaking” the phone, which I imagine only a very small percentage of users are interested in. Android’s “sideloading” is an alternative for that OS, but again, most users won’t go to the trouble. So, in order for a company or individual to be willing to go through all the pain of getting an app approved, a profit motive is usually required. That’s my 2cents worth. Gary On Mon, Jul 13, 2015 at 8:44 PM, Gillian Densmore <[email protected]> wrote: > Speculative Q: > Anyone care to speculate why Open Source apps not have gotten much > traction out side some exceptions? > > I ask because it'd seem like a business wouldn't want to use something > where they couldn't see the code (for instance). > > ============================================================ > FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv > Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College > to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com >
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