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by yjftsjthsd-h 1946 days ago
> Notarizing is not strict by any definition of the term, unless you consider "scans your software for malicious content, checks for code-signing issues" to be strict?

I'd consider "you can't ship software for people to run on their own machines without first uploading it to Apple to get their seal of approval" to be quite strict, regardless of what Apple actually does / looks at when you upload it to them. I don't care how low their bar is, I don't care that it's automated, I frankly wouldn't care if it was a complete automatic rubber-stamp with no checking at all - Apple forcing every developer to go through them is draconian.

1 comments

It does seems inconvenient but also intended to help keep the platform- and therefore users- secure. I’m not sure the word ‘draconian’ fits here, especially considering its original meaning and historical uses.
It makes the device non-serviceable without a central authority. You could not do anything with it offline.

That means it is no longer a general-purpose computer, but an extension of Apple's cloud.

This isn’t true. Software can be installed and used without being through this process, if the user explicitly allows it.

Just as if I download some software that hasn’t come from a ‘store’ on Linux I check it out before using it and only set execute permission if I’m happy, I do the same on MacOS.

Are you sure about that?

I was under the impression that any program with a hash that had not been seen yet must be first approved remotely by a central server before it is allowed to run:

https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/

Yes. I flip the switch to allow such software almost daily. Probably lots of others on this site do the same. If you have the chance to use MacOS then you can try this for yourself.
I was a happy user beginning with Rhapsody, so believe me, I know how nice it can be.

I quit around 10.11, after watching things get more coddling and abusive for a couple of releases.

I still use and love my MBA, but I probably won't be returning to that world anytime soon for my primary desktop.