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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Is there a downside to Flatpak? (lemmy.world)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

166 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Basically title.

I’m wondering if a package manager like flatpak comes with any drawback or negatives. Since it just works on basically any distro. Why isn’t this just the default? It seems very convenient.

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[–] [email protected] 44 points 8 months ago (2 children)

For me it's lacking in user friendliness. Go easy on the downvotes if I'm doing it the hard way.

Flatpaks aren't really single-executables. You have to use to the flatpak command to run them.
I can't just say flatpak run firefox, I have to use the full app-id which could be quite long.

Yes, I could make this simpler with scripts or aliases but how hard would it have been for Flatpak to automatically do this for me?

[–] [email protected] 15 points 8 months ago (3 children)

I'm using KDE and when I download a flatpak it automatically creates a .desktop file. I think gnome does this too if I'm not mistaken. I do have to restart or relogin for it to put the file there but that's not that bad IMO.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I think I've been having an issue with the Steam Flatpak where after updating, the .desktop file breaks. If not, my icon is broken for different reasons. Either way, I've been running Steam through the command line for ages.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I don't put anything on my desktop but if I put Firefox in my krunner (alt-f2) box the flatpak shows up right away after installation

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I'm on Endeavour xfce and the .desktop files are just there immediately. I never even knew this wasn't the case on other systems

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

I agree, tho trivially solvable with aliases and Desktop app definitions, but still an extra step.