Linux.com: How Apple Could Help Linux on the Desktop

“No, this is not another of those “Apple should base OSX on
Linux” articles. This is about cross-platform APIs. This is about
paradigm shifts and knowing when to go with the flow….“

“My point: in your average software development shop, Windows is
a given as platform number 1. Platform number 2 is still the
Macintosh. We’ll add Linux for extra credit. The problem: porting
to the Mac is essentially a rewrite, and for that reason, many
(most?) shops rarely get around to it. You want proof? I just came
from a large NYC Barnes and Noble, where I could not find a single
book on Macintosh programming. Come to think of it, there were
several on Linux, KDE and GTK programming, so Apple might not
remain platform number 2 for long.”

“That’s Apple’s problem as much as mine, and they’re in the best
position they’ve ever been in to solve it. Why? Because the
industry is crying out for a cross-platform API. Java has whetted
their appetites, but hasn’t come through. So here’s what you do
Steve. Apple could embrace one of the emerging Open Source APIs,
and port it to the Mac.”

“Why Open Source? Because the only other choice is to support
somebody else’s proprietary API and that won’t work — ask
IBM.”

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