Songbird drops Linux to play with others

Image via Wikipedia

Normally I like to keep the Broken Penguin on positive topics relating to the Linux platform.  But on finding this post on Songbird dropping support for Linux, I felt that we needed to note this change and what it could mean.

This has two issues for Linux on the desktop, on the positive side, it is good to see an open-source developer making good.  Songbird making inroads into the more mainstream desktop markets of Windows and Mac is great.  It also shows the thirst the mainstream users have for good alternatives to the expensive, and restrictive software products on offer from the big vendors.  So I guess I'm happy that they are too busy to keep working on one of their platforms.
On the less positive side, you have to be disappointed that they choose to drop support on the Linux platform.  To bring the Linux desktop into the mainstream, we need to have more of these open-source projects maintain their Linux roots as they become popular, instead of dumping and running once they have a foothold in other markets.
I think that this raises a few questions about the future of the platform.

Jason

...if it is not Broken, go to Windows and Mac.