Can closed-source and non-free software be distributed in the RHEL app store

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I haven't been able to find the answer to this question anywhere. Hopefully, someone here can help.

I run a software startup that has built an enterprise focused email client (just for MS Exchange and Office 365).

It is cross-platform, Windows / Mac and Linux and we recently got into the Ubuntu Software Store and the reaction has been very positive.

We haven't produced an RPM but did create a Snap (so it will run on Fedora). I'm trying to decide if we should start working on an RPM or Flatpack but without an effective way to distribute on RHEL it would be pointless.

Any help would be appreciated!

Responses

Hi Kevin,

Well, I don't think that there will be a chance to get closed source packages into the official repositories, because Red Hat is strongly and strictly committed to open source software. But what you can do, is package the tool as an .rpm file, which then someone can install via sudo yum localinstall. Please don't forget that the necessary dependencies have to be available in the repositories. Alternatively you can package it as an .appimage file, which includes all the dependencies and also can be run as a standalone.

Cheers :)
Christian

That's great, thanks for that Christian!

You're welcome Kevin ! :)

Regards,
Christian

Hi Kevin,

You also have the option of creating and hosting your own RPM repository (and all potential dependencies). That way, you would just need to instruct people to add your repository to their systems (which can be done using a simple package, too).

The advantage of having a repository for hosting your software is, among other things, that you would be able to distribute new versions to users very easily.

Thanks Robert. We'll consider that option too.

The main takeaway for me though from the comments so far, is that we won't be able to get product awareness through the RHEL store.

We would need to find a separate marketing channel to let RHEL users know that the product exists (which is harder than the technical implementation details). It does make the distro less attractive to us. C'est la vie!

Not necessarily Kevin, marketing is another thing - not much different as with ubuntu - users get aware of an application not because it is available in the store, but rather than getting notified on channels like Google+ or on websites like OMG!UBUNTU! ... so this wouldn't be a stopper - right ?

It's not a show stopper at all Christian. It is, however, an important factor in our prioritization process. We're a small startup, so we don't have the resources to throw spaghetti and see what sticks.

If we felt there was a cost-effective way to reach a substantial number of RHEL users. We would be working on packaging it already. My belief in the "build it and they will come" philosophy has been well and truly shattered ;)

We've had a few articles in omgubuntu.co.uk and they are great. But, their effect is short-lived. We get quite a few more installs from people searching for "email" in the Ubuntu app store than what we can attribute to press coverage. The app store distribution/discovery model is just very consistent and important to us.

I'll continue to do my homework. I'd love to be able to justify supporting RHEL. My gut feeling tells me that RHEL will be a good fit. Just need to find something to back that up.

Thanks again Christian!

Well Kevin, I think your feeling is right - I checked your product (https://www.hiri.com) and it seems to meet the needs of many enterprises ... and Red Hat products are used by a huge amount of them. When you set up your own 'Hiri repository' or package the application the way I suggested and then write a few posts on enterprise relevant sites, I guess there will be a good chance that a lot of RHEL users may jump on this wagon. By the way, you can promote your product here as well of course. :)

Regards,
Christian

The only issue I found, on RHEL 7.4 Beta is that the published Linux version is compiled against a GLIBC version that is newer than provided on the RHEL 7.4 Beta DVD.

Will test on RHEL 7.4 GA asap.

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