Mac App Store announced

Fears of a closed system make absolutely no sense. What would developers develop on? How would they make it closed, code signing? It would be cracked in five minutes.

This is the single best thing to ever happen to desktop computers. Period.

Don't believe me. Install an app. count the steps
1) find a link from some blog or google it to find download link
2) hope the source is trustworthy
3) download the install file
4) find the downloaded file
5) open the downloaded file
6) agree to let the install file to determine whether it can be installed
7) agree to a license agreement
8) choose a hard disk to install to
9) click install
10) enter password
11) close the installed successfully message
12) confirm that the downloaded app came from the internet
13) REPEAT whole process for updates

vs

1) find app on appstore
2) click install
3) enter password

Aside from the slap in the face this is to Valve or any other distributor already out there, this seems like a really bad idea. Just from the liability of the security aspect alone. It's one thing to provide a review process for apps being deployed on a closed system like the iOS with a very restricted API. It's another thing entirely to review/deploy/endorse apps that are written in Obj C or Cocoa.

Things like key loggers or worms are bound to slip through. And if Apple stamps them as review-certified with the Apple brand name on them, they are the ones who are going to be held accountable.

Lastly, I can't see any big name developer wanting to part with 30% just to be on the App Store, they already have their own distribution in place. This is not going to be a market to get solid reputable applications.

I don't understand why this worries people ... Apple has a great way to download music/tv/movies (iTunes) but that hasn't stopped them from allowing you to import your own music/tv/movies on your mac.

This store will just allow the small developer / shareware author to have a way to market their products.

Everyone laughed when Apple first announced the iPhone app store ... and look how it has revolutionized the mobile platform.

Who will really be hurt by this is the current companies that help distribute shareware/software like Digital River

could this be why there has been no updates for a couple of weeks on
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/

"As a natural born geek, and a long time Apple user, I for one feel alienated; and I am VERY disappointed and afraid by the direction I see Apple going with 10.7"-Tony

@Tony: As a natural born consumer, and long time Apple user, I, for one, feel liberated; and I am VERY excited and thrilled by the direction I see Apple going with 10.7.

I LOVE the new Mac store. Wish they had introduced it earlier. I think it's going to lead to a Renaissance for Application developers and the Mac itself (although the Mac is having its very own Renaissance, as we speak.)

Let me just finish with one short anecdote to make my point. Other than Snow Leopard, I can't remember the last Application (I know, it's an OS, you're missing my point) I purchased for my Mac. When Applications are as easy (and perhaps as inexpensive) as the Apps on my phone and my iPad, then I, and millions of others like me, will start buying them again and buying them by the bushel full.

dumbest...idea....ever. walled ecosystem on my computer too? no thanks. -1000

shocking reply from Jordan. truly shocking.

It's just another simple way for your mom, dad, sister, etc. to buy apps for their Macs without having to know about the manufacturers website, the name of the app and have to Google it, or travel to an Apple Store.

The iPhone/iPad/iPod touch App Store has already shown the way. The fact that these are closed platforms doesn't mean that the Mac OS X OS will be closed, just that the store will be as selective as Apple wants it to be.

There'll be no Bittorrent clients, or 'adult' games, or cracking tools. But that won't stop you buying or downloading stuff from elsewhere. It's not a step on a road to somewhere you don't want to go. It lowers the barrier for third parties to sell to average consumers and is basically Steam for Apps.

If anyone can't see that this is leading to a closed MacOS system, I'm afraid your blinders are on... Just when Steve has "the one ring" in hand, he throws it into Mount Doom by repeating the '80s decisions all over again.

I hope I'm wrong, and will gladly eat crow if I am!