Hey everyone

This maybe old news but I just noticed that the linux section on downloads.com is done.
I enjoyed the layout of the site and the rating of the most popular downloads. While I know there are other sites out there downloads was an old faithful.
I would suggest sending them feedback to maybe get a smaller base of downloads if popularity/space is an issue.

Take care all...

Don't kill TUX (Look at how cute he/she is !)

I always thought download.com was a joke to download opensource and or linux packages. A place like freshmeat.net and sourceforge.net are way better and have way more to choose from in my opinion.

I would have to say probably one of the reasons download.com took away the linux downloads was that nobody used them most likely, much better sites out there..

i agree, once one discovers sf or freshmeat, there's no going back to download.com. However, I, too, like the most popular and highest ranked download charts. Those were always cool.

Still not sure if it's for better or for worse...

The main reason for them taking it down is that, some time ago, they introduced a new method of people adding software to the listings--namely you had to pay to be listed on download.com.

Most people don't earn a penny from the small tools and utilities they code and GPL--So download.com reasoned that the Linux section was now a lost cause and a potential revenue drain.

At least that's what I think happened.

It still sucks that Downloads.com is down. Seems like everything is about money. Why couldn't Downloads get big distros to flip the bill. It's maybe lazyness, newbie bravado and not money that be at issue here.
For trickykid (nice name Holmes) freshmeat.net lists all the latest downloads on the front page and that is annoying when one has to dig for popular downloads. Whats with the Quake-ish name anyhow for freshmeat.
Sourceforge is better for sure the Freshmeat. Compensating/rationalizing with showboating doesn't help Linux's exposure.
I ended up linking off Downloads anyhow for specific packages. And Mandrake 9.1 basically upgraded itself.
Its just sad that bottom line mentality pervades everything nowadays...

I've never ever used Download.com to download Linux stuff.. always freshmeat. Although.... when I used Windows (I'm not using windows anymore for anything...whohooo), it was a comedy... really hilarious comments about products made by kids commenting about Kazaa or ICQ like "This sucks"... How helpful is that?. I'm glad it's gone for Linux lol

Well, it was **another** resource, and it's sad to see really any resource get depleted. Yes, downloads.com wasn't exactly high class, in no way was it a freshmeat.net But it was a place that quite a few newbies could relate to since it's nearly the 'de facto' in windoze downloads lately.

I'm not sad to see it no longer has linux, I'm just trying to show you the other side of the door.

Cool

Resources appear and disappear all of the time. It is a shame to see one disappear but we can sleep happy at night knowing that another will spring up at some point. Perhaps Freshmeat will see an opening and take it, maybe adding their own ratings system and trying to replace download.com!Linux.

And C|Net is a for-profit corporation and as such--as with so much in life--profit and money are they key motives behind everything they do. Personally I am glad they decided to remove the section rather than let it become a stale resource full of outdated programs because people are unwilling/unable to pay to update their applications. Most newbies from Windows will flock there, get old software, and then wonder why it doesn't work oblivious to the fact that sourceforge and fresmeat even exist.

Just my opinion again.

I hope another high profile site appears.
BTW I'm 33. I have been using computers for 19 years. I personally use terms like sucks to "fit-in" with the zeitgeist of the day. I have programmed in vb, c and basic with some knowledge assembly as well. I generally find a malaise and stoicism the banes of business and politics...
I have a XP/L-M 9.1 system that runs fine. And I appreciate positive and constructive input that many members add to questions about Linux.
As stated in previous responses on this forum, I realize that most of the software linked off downloads.com. And yes many comments with "this piece of software sucks" etc is annoying. If one upgrades their specfic distro and follows directions there is little problem. However, if a proceedure to install some piece of software is too difficult this will discourage users. Farther I find from personal experience that software is patched and upgraded often and one has to be on top upgrading to have it run smoothly.

Its the egocentrism from the programmers, and IT people that may discourage future users from staying with Linux as well.

Well... That was random