macOS and OpenCPN

[CarCode]

The soon coming OS update for free called Catalina will have a stronger Gatekeeper and might forbid to install OpenCPN. Until January 2020 developers was time given to notarize their software for Catalina. Although it is a right decision to update the OS because of the fixed bugs and security issues with such updates it might be better not to install Catalina.

[rgleason]

It is looking like this needs to be addressed somehow. Would this also affect plugins? Thank you Carcode for the notice.

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Would this also affect plugins?

It affects any software and so also plugins.

[rgleason]

Carcode, do you know if there is there an easy way for non-mac users to implement this?

Also where would we start?
I hope it is not burdensome, and that we can use the same certificate for all plugins, otherwise I will bag it.


I did several searches on this and the process seems to assume MacOS is used.

[CarCode]

The answer to all your questions is here:
https://developer.apple.com/programs/

[jongough]

Only slight issue here is that you need a Mac and you have to pay USD$99 for the privilege of building apps for Apple. I don't have a Mac and I don't intend to buy one so I will be precluded from supplying Mac versions of the plugin. Seems a strange way for Apple to go.

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by jongough

Seems a strange way for Apple to go.

Apple tries to keep out any malware and other hacks which results in crashing the machine. Working with computers I prefere a stable machine and not a bluescreen or blackscreen one.

[jongough]

That said, if there is no way to create OCPN for the new mac environment you will need to find another way of running it, perhaps a PI?


I understand the wish to have valid programs, but there needs to be an understanding that not everyone works for big companies. In fact Apple make use of open source software themselves, so it is surprising they are putting a roadblock in the way. They are after all running linux with their desktop on top of it and calling it MacOS.

[Tillsbury]

I believe there will still be an override. The idea is to make more certain that inexperienced users don't do something daft. You will still be able to run open source software, but you will need to confirm that you really want to.

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by jongough

That said, if there is no way to create OCPN for the new mac environment you will need to find another way of running it, perhaps a PI?


I understand the wish to have valid programs, but there needs to be an understanding that not everyone works for big companies. In fact Apple make use of open source software themselves, so it is surprising they are putting a roadblock in the way. They are after all running linux with their desktop on top of it and calling it MacOS.

I'm afraid you have misunderstood something. Apple has put away opensource software and will even stopp OpenGL soon which is substituted by Metal. In one of the first macOS many, many years ago you can even find wxWidgets in the OS which was cancelled later. macOS is not based on Linux but it is real BSD Unix unlike Linux. It is the successor of the Next operating system long before any Linux exists.

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

I believe there will still be an override. The idea is to make more certain that inexperienced users don't do something daft. You will still be able to run open source software, but you will need to confirm that you really want to.

That is the way it works until now with Mojave. However with Catalina the next step is the need of a notarized software.

[Tillsbury]

Originally Posted by CarCode

That is the way it works until now with Mojave. However with Catalina the next step is the need of a notarized software.

But current Catalina builds still allow this, even if you have to sudo to get there.

Eta: I'm still going to make a Mojave installer on usb just in case life gets too weird next year.

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

But current Catalina builds still allow this, even if you have to sudo to get there.

As seen on post #1 Apple has extended the dead time for notarization until January 2020. There is still no Catalina available, just now only Betas.
To make an installer for OpenCPN (opencpn.pkg) see examples of some actual plugins.

[rgleason]

Carcode thankyou for you guidance. It is very helpful. In trying to be realistic about this, PI devs are not going to pay 99 each every year.

Is there really no dev opensource program that is free?

If not, is there a way to pay for opencpn and all plugins under one account?

If not, then the mac community will have to support itself! Sounds like some policians with regard to immigration.

Thanks for your help in this.

[CarCode]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Carcode thankyou for you guidance. It is very helpful. In trying to be realistic about this, PI devs are not going to pay 99 each every year.

Is there really no dev opensource program that is free?

If not, is there a way to pay for opencpn and all plugins under one account?

If not, then the mac community will have to support itself! Sounds like some policians with regard to immigration.

Thanks for your help in this.

Yes, of course. If there is some one willing to compile OpenCPN and all its plugins for macOS he can do it with one certificate only. Best to use Xcode for that task which generates a cleaner executable bundle than other third party compilers. Opensource programs are not needed because all developers tools (Xcode etc.) for macOS are free. Furthermore these Apple tools are far more easier to use than the cryptic third party tools like CMake et al.