In Ubuntu Software Center, the application "Business Accountz" is listed under 'Free Software,' but is actually a trial varsion

[AFarris01]

Binary package hint: software-center

The title says it all. I noticed today that I had an update for the partner repositories, which included Flash 10, Lotus Symphony, UltraEdit, and something called Business Accountz. As I didn't know what exactly 'Business Accountz' was, I was naturally curious, and decided to go check it out in USC.

Upon reading the description, however, I discovered that it was not, in fact, free software, but a several-month free trial for some accounting software. This was slightly discouraging, as it appeared that the line was being blurred in Software Center between what was free, and what was not. This feels treacherous, and is unbecoming of Ubuntu.

The program 'Business Accountz', as well as other 'Partner' software that is not, in fact, free software should be listed in a separate category under USC, to differentiate it from other applications. This may even be a better thing for any Canonical parters that are desiring to sell software to the ubuntu community. Rather than tricking people into downloading a program they think is free, then making them pay for it after a trial period, there can be a separate category called "Partner" under USC, where partner companies can showcase their software making it easy for people to see it, rather than hiding it in the depths of the 'Free software' category.

Ideally this could also include some sort of breakdown do distinguish between 'Open Source' programs, and simply 'Free' programs. This particular line was erased with the introduction of Software Center, and I feel that it was a step backwards that should be corrected, so users properly understand their rights.

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: amd64
Date: Tue Dec 15 12:46:23 2009
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.10
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" - Release amd64 (20091027)
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Package: software-center 1.0.2
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.31-16.53-generic
SourcePackage: software-center
Uname: Linux 2.6.31-16-generic x86_64

[Kiwinote (kiwinote)]

Hi Andrew. In the latest development release of Ubuntu, software center now contains a separate subsection for 'canonical partners', as can be seen in the attached screenshot. Although 'Business Accountz' is not yet available in this development release, if/when it is, it will be displayed in the 'canonical partners' subsection. Thanks for reporting this issue.

[AFarris01 (afarris01)]

I'm very happy to see this change introduced, and I can't wait to try the new version. Thanks for adding the screenshot!