PC Pro is reporting that Novell the backer of the Suse Linux distribution is looking at the possibility of creating an open source apps store. Like the iPhone app store, developers would upload apps and users could rate and review them. The primary difference between the iPhone store and Novell's would be that all the software would be free at the open source apps store.
Holger Dyroff, the VP of business development at Novell said that, "It's a new way of marketing open source, It's also a method of educating people about the benefits of open source."
I certainly think this would be a great way to promote open source products and allow people to quickly distinguish between the good and the bad. Sourceforge.net which serves as the largest repository of open source software is great because of the breadth of software available, but its interface, isn't as user friendly as the iPhone apps store. Sourceforce also doesn't allow for feedback (at least I'm not aware of this feature) which makes it difficult to know the quality of a software product without first trying it out.
As I come across them, I will continue to post any updates about Novell's Open Source App Store.
