Idea for a website

[MrBordello]

Hi!
Yesterday I had an idea for a website like Click'n'run (http://www.cnr.com/). Just for ubuntu and with free applications.

The site wouldn't host any .debs (like getdeb.net). It would be a place to rate and discuss the applications that are already available within ubuntu or other repositories. Users could write reviews, comment, rate and upload screen-shots for the applications. A newsfeed (if available) from the projects-homepage could also be displayed. The installation from the site is possible trough apturl.

The reason for this is, that it's sometimes very hard for newbies to decide which application is suitable for their needs. The information provided by Synaptic isn't really that helpful in my opinion.

Also it would be a really nice way to showcase the possibilities ubuntu (and linux in general) offers.

Another effect of being able to install software trough the site could be, that new users who google "ubuntu audio editor" directly can install the software (in this case: audacity). So they don't need to learn what apt or synaptic's all about. Most users come from windows, where they where familiarized with the process of install an application through a website, so we could lower the barrier here.

So, what do you think?

[Kareeser]

Could work... like a "distrowatch" for applications.

Similar to gnome-look.org, except I hate how user unfriendly that website is.

Promise me one thing: If you get this off the ground, invest in a solid foundation with a mySQL database, or you'll be running into some trouble later on down the line!

[Chemical Imbalance]

I like the site idea, but not the idea about users not having to learn synaptic or apt. I think you should include a tutorial on the site to explain how apt-get and synaptic work.

[MrBordello]

@Chemical Imbalance: You're right, apturl is firefox-only also, so a little tutorial is unavoidable

@Kareeser: Exactly! Those sites are so important, sadly they are also not-so-pretty (one could even say ugly) and non user-friendly.
The mysql/php-stuff should be no problem, actually that's kinda my job.

Question: Is it legal to use the Ubuntu-logo, or to register a domain like ubuntu-apps.com ?

Maybe I should mail canonical, 'cause http://install.ubuntu.com would be just cool ;)

[ugm6hr]

This is a great idea.

I now try and remember to include apturl links whenever giving advice here.

However, it has been tried elsewhere:

Linux Appfinder uses it, but hides it amongst a list of repositories
http://linuxappfinder.com/install_info

OzOS uses a list:
http://cafelinux.org/OzOs/node/3

Nevertheless, an Ubuntu specific website which is as well designed as http://www.osalt.com/ would certainly be popular.