Ubuntu Karmic Koala will see the first step of the much heralded package-management replacement named ‘Software Store’ – whose name has caused a lot of controversy within the Ubuntu Community.
What’s in a name?
The development name for what we now know as the Ubuntu SoftwareStore was simply ‘App Centre’ a name that was simple and self explanatory, but not ‘official’.
Upon the official naming of ‘App Centre’ to ‘Software Store’, many users were left feeling muddled due to the term ‘store’ having commercial associations. This fact is exemplified by the fact that, indeed, developers will be allowed to sell (as in for money) applications within the new framework by Ubuntu 11.04.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with the option to do this, and any paid application will face a tough time when up against free and just-as-capable application of the same ilk. Yet some feel it will distort the user experience of Ubuntu – and perhaps lead open-source dev’s away into solely paid development.
For many of those left hurt by the new name, it’s purely because Software Store sounds so blatantly commercial; a name that promotes the ‘paid’ side more than the ‘free’ side.
If you don’t like the name you can register you vote over at Ubuntu Brainstorm – where votes = change.
[Pssst! I think it should be renamed OMG! APPS!]
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