CoApp
Trent Nelson has just posted to python-dev about a Microsoft-sponsored proposal called CoApp. The idea is — as I understand it — to support the packaging of Open Source s/w on the Windows platform. The current situation is quite well outlined on the wiki. It looks like a very interesting initiative and I for one hope that it succeeds.
I find exactly the issues that the author outlines on page: open source s/w is mostly *nix-oriented, naturally, and assumes the development setups which that implies. By and large, Windows ports are either best-endeavour bolt-ons or rely on Cygwin / MingW environments. Python performs rather better here with a maintained VS solution, but even there you have to do a little bit more jiggery-pokery with file locations than I’d like.
I’ve signed up for the CoApp announcments list, so let’s see what happens…
Gordon Pryra said,
Wrote on May 14, 2010 @ 10:01 am
I’m surprised by the lack of negativity shown in the press over this.
Even with the number of blogs/posts Garrett Serack has put out theres been little anti-Microsoft writing.
Maybe this stands a chance of actually working?
tim said,
Wrote on May 14, 2010 @ 10:04 am
@Gordon: frankly, I’m surprised, too. (Not that I’ve looked too hard). Even the main Python list — which is generally a fairly moderate place — has a number of die-hard anti-MS types but no-one seems to be saying anything. Personally, I see this as a great move which can do nothing but help open source be more widely accepted in the Windows world. Optimistic? Maybe, but I prefer that to naysaying cynicism.
Garrett Serack said,
Wrote on May 26, 2010 @ 6:04 pm
@Gordon -> Me too!
On one hand, I’ve been working with a lot of non-Microsoft folks for many months leading up to the launch of the project, but even so, I’m quite happy about the response I’ve been getting to the project.
My optimism is growing steadily too. Given the list of folks that have gotten involved (notably, Trent Nelson amongst others) and their contributions so far, I’ve got a lot of confidence we’re on the right track.
Well, and frankly, if this doesn’t deliver, it’s gonna hurt my career a lot :S
G