I just read an article about Windows (S) refusing to run applications not downloaded from the Windows Store…

I had to download a less than a week compile of an application I wrote to check if a bug I had (discovered that day) was present (it was not): macOS told me that the application is not signed… (my application that I downloaded from my own url…)

So, in the near future, someone who want to share for free its application(s) will have to pay to buy (each year) a certificate or they will not be able to share the application(s).

As of today, the “market” is far more than suspicious about applications: I shared one to the right place for its target (dealing with Comics, but not only) and I do not get one feedback (not even a bad feedback, that is a sign…)

I will not publicize here what the software can do for the Comic (Strip, Book, but not only; think at a list manager), know it have everything I could think I need to deal with a character and more (take a list from the Internet / WikipediA and improve it 'till you do not recognize the original list: from checking the date if they are week days or Sundays, length of a story from start to end dates, etc.).

I do not really care about that, I do not build it to sold it.

But with the current trend, spending your time and sharing an application will be far too expensive for a person.

BTW: maybe I am wrong: I may have to sold it and perhaps people do not want it because it is free ?

What is your feeling 'bout that ?

So, in the near future, someone who want to share for free its application(s) will have to pay to buy (each year) a certificate or they will not be able to share the application(s).

That future is now. Like it or not, if your app is not signed, it will be viewed with suspicion by anyone downloading it. That is true of both Win and Mac

@Emile S I just read an article about Windows (S) refusing to run applications not downloaded from the Windows Store…

That is the nature of Windows(S) - a dog of a thing that should be hanged by the neck until dead. No - we don't want to have to get things from your store, Microsoft - we wan't to run free down the software trail as we always have. The insanely restrictive world of Apple is not for us.

this might be the end for many "recreational programmers" or it would cause a total switch to wep apps but they are too expensive. Xojo cloud is 40$ a month it's very expensive unless you are making some money out of it

Linux market share: 2.5%.

@Michel B Today the bulk of computing devices starts with the absolute number one Android (over 50% of all computing devices),
...
The second one, iOS,

Android 40%
Windows 36%
IOS 13%

http://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share

Last time I looked a desktop was still a 'computing device'.

I do not really care about that, I do not build it to sold it.
But with the current trend, spending your time and sharing an application will be far too expensive for a person.

If software is useful enough to use, it is useful enough to pay for .
Even if the payment is $3 by PayPal to cover the costs you describe.
Remember these are people who have paid several hundred dollars for the machines they want to run it on.

If no-one will pay - life is short. Why waste it writing software? Go out and smell the roses.

@Jeff T smell the roses

I miss that. ;)

Yes, Jeff, you are right. This is a conclusion I reach.

Asking for a few fee will cover the costs and “an application for a few fee” is better than no application at all.

@Jeff Tullin smell the roses

This recalls me a Ringo Starr LP (CD): “Stop and smell the roses”.

I will say just:

Welcome to the world of syndicate.

p.s.
@Emile S you forgot to tell that certificate must be so called green certificate and you can't use your own PKI to make certificates for code/app signing which means adding 'S' to the end of word, syndicate.