It does look extremely suspicious but it is only fair that the developers themselves are given the opportunity to answer the allegation. However, I do feel that no apps requiring payment should be hosted at maemo.org, whether free or non-free.

It will be interesting to hear what the developers say - it's only fair.

However you have to question why the need to push software that is obviously sub-standard into the Extras category.

To attempt to bypass any peer-review or QA testing is illogical and stupid.

It sounds like a money-grab to me!

Maybe a seperate category can be created for non-free paid for apps?

I think the developers should reply to this thread as soon as possible - the longer they leave it the worse it will become.

It would look like they are being evasive and know what they did was wrong.

It could all be a mis-understanding.

All email addresses used to register these users were from sio2interactive. I'm sure they just tried to get their app in as soon as possible, but this goes against the spirit if the whole QA process.

I have removed their packages and revoked access to Extras for now. I'm not against giving access back after a public apology though.

Why don't we give them a deadline to respond. (e.g. by the end of today)?

Send them an email requesting their response to the situation and inform them that they will lose the privilege of publishing thier software in Extras?

If no-one is willing to respond then pull the app.

If they SIO2 Interactive are serious about thier intent to sell software for the n900 then they will respond.

If not - then no-one will buy thier software anyway - who is willing to trust them?.

We can then bring an end to this situation

Where exactly would you want them to appear? OVI store?

Hey, don't hang this issue higher than it is supposed to hang and please stop flaming wars before proven guilty. Even if Sio2 did forge the votes I'd comprehend to some degree. They are a commercial software company and therefore depend on returns somewhat more decent than applause alone.

As long as OVI store is what it is - a mere joke - commercial contributions will get stuck in the middle of Nowherekiszthan.

Sio2 just (eventually) did what everybody would do to get public notice: Shout as loud as they can. Though not following the rules here on maemo (which is bad but show'em the yellow card and on with the game) isn't this yet again proof that the environment around the N900 itself is not fully grown ?

Just my 2 cents...

the thing is... there is no "they". the developer himself told us on this forum (in the threads about his games) that SIO2 is a one-man-show.

and that is worse than just "against the spirit" IMHO.

How about an additional repository, called "commercial"? So everyone knows, what's all about?

Agreed. Going by the Sio2 thread under games it appears that the developer is a "one-man" show, so I feel he should be given the benefit of doubt for not knowing the difference between "commercial" and "non-free".

Obviously, if true, sending "testers" to paypal is deceptive but can be excused with an apology for over zealousness but the real issue is did he commit fraud by voting his game up himself or through proxies.

EDIT:

@semerandum

Isn't that what the OVI store is for?

where's the real justification for breaking QA rules? I can't see one in your text.

I thought the Ovi store was for substandard software that wasn't correctly QA'd?