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Flatpak is only for graphical apps - Flatpak's biggest flaw?
  • Thank you for the answers and listening to the feedback.

    Your starter steps are exactly what we want the default to be, do you think we should say that more strongly?

    Yes, I'd definitely try to make it more clear to the user that the ubuntu/wolfi distrobox is the way to go and that all the other installation methods are just bonus for those who need it.

    Also, I think it's a bit confusing for newcomers whether to choose bluefin or -dx. It seems like dx is always the better option, even if you end up not using all of the extra features

  • Flatpak is only for graphical apps - Flatpak's biggest flaw?
  • hey, I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options you provide to install cli programs. There's nix, fleek, devbox, devcontainers, distrobox, incus, brew and probably even more options.

    I just want one preferred way to install my cli programs globally, like on normal distributions, but it is not clear which option is the default one. After digging through posts on the forum I found out that the ubuntu distrobox with apt is supposed to be this default installation environment. Maybe make that clear when someone opens the host terminal on bluefin, or let the bluefin installer give this info to the user.

    Even then, projectbluefin.io in the FAQ section suggests that homebrew is the creator's preferred installation method, not ubuntu. So which one should I use now? On one hand, bluefin's default DE is GNOME which is very simplified and has one correct workflow, on the other hand bluefin provides a multitude of choices all seeming equally viable, which is more in line with KDE's philosophy.

    Also, why prefer homebrew over something like nix? AFAIK, homebrew leads to the same dependency issues that the traditional package managers have.

    Additionally, what is making ublue hard for me is that all the important info seems to be scattered on the ublue website, blog posts and forum posts. I'd really like it if there would be one website which gives clear guidance for people who are new to bluefin (or bazzite etc.). Not explaining all of the possibilites, but just the most important stuff to get started. Just a really dumbed down, compressed version of the existing ublue guides. The users can figure out more themselves afterwards.

    Something like:

    • install bluefin-dx (not the regular bluefin)
    • only install graphical stuff via flatpak
    • only use the ubuntu terminal for any terminal stuff, including cli program installation
    • do not use the host terminal unless you are doing host administration with ujust or rpm-ostree
    • etc.

    These starter instructions may not be perfect, but at least then the users have a daily driver they can learn more about over time instead of having to learn everything before daily-driving ublue.

    Thank you for all the hard work you guys are putting into this, I'm excited to see the project mature

  • Flatpak is only for graphical apps - Flatpak's biggest flaw?
  • Thanks, I will try that out. I want to use uBlue as well, but cli program installation has been holding me back.

    uBlue also makes nix available via fleek, but the way you describe it it seems easier to just use nix directly

  • Flatpak is only for graphical apps - Flatpak's biggest flaw?

    I love Flatpaks, the programs are nicely separated so they don't interfere with each other. They also don't have flaws like Snap's low performance or Nix's complexity.

    But being limited to only graphical apps seems like a real drawback. If one wants to use Flatpaks as their primary package manager there have to be some awkward workarounds for cli programs.

    E.g., the prime Flatpak experiene is supposed to be on immutable distros like Silverblue. But to install regular cli programs you are expected to spin up a distrobox (or toolbox) and install those programs there.

    Having one arch distrobox where I get my cli programs from will not work, as the package entropy over time will get me the very dependency issues that Flatpak wants to solve.

    So what is the solution here? Have multiple distroboxes and install packages in those in alternation and hope the boxes don't break? Use Nix alongside Flatpak? Use Snaps?

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    Why has nobody ever heard of Distrobox? Let me tell you why everyone should take a look at it!
  • With Nix you have to do everything the Nix way. If a package doesn't work correctly or is missing you either have to dive deep into the Nix rabbit hole or wait till someone who knows stuff fixes your problem. With nix everything is all or nothing (even more so with NixOS).

    Distrobox is the opposite, it embraces variety and gives you as many options/distro environments as it can. Once the missing container bugs are fixed you are dependent on no one to get your packages working.

    Also, Nix is usually not the normal way devs package their software, so there always have to be people repackaging the stuff with nix (and updating when the source package changes).

    Distrobox gives you access to the environment where the stuff is packaged already, a lot less work is needed to get working packages which should not be underestimated.

    The more packages you install with nix the higher the probability you encounter packages no nix expert has cared for recently

  • Reddit API blew up and now I run Linux?
  • There's a lot to explore after arch. We have Gentoo, NixOS, image-based distros like Silverblue. Swappable immutable core through ublue, leading you to bluefin or bazzite. Your journey is far from over

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