4 ms·

Linux App Store: A Centralized Hub for Flatpak, Snap, and AppImage Apps

15 points by commoner 8y ago

commoner 8y ago
OMG! Ubuntu!'s write-up: https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2019/05/the-linux-app-store-website-lets-you-find-apps-wherever https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2019/05/the-linux-app-store-webs... Source code (GPLv3): https://github.com/linuxappstore/linuxappstore-frontend https://github.com/linuxappstore/linuxappstore-frontend
leshokunin 8y ago
I'm just a casual Linux user, but I'm wondering: is there a demand for this? I've been using Linux Mint and it already comes with a pseudo store. Everything else that I've been installing was one apt-get command away. Is this meant to make Linux more accessible to people who don't currently use it?
- commoner 8y ago
  These new software packaging systems (Flatpak, Snap, and AppImage) offer several benefits: - All dependencies bundled in one package, which eliminates dependency hell - Delta updates for smaller and faster application updates - Software developers can support all Linux distributions with one release, instead of repackaging their software multiple times - Application sandboxing for additional security (only for Flatpak, Snap with AppArmor, and AppImage with Firejail) - The entire application is contained in one file (only for AppImage) The various app stores (Ubuntu Software Center, GNOME Software, and KDE Discover) already support either Flatpak or Snap, which would make Linux software more accessible to users who prefer a graphical interface for software management.
  - webgoat 8y ago
    Only downside I see is that you end up with many repeat dependencies, which takes up more space than the alternative. Still pretty great for a personal Linux machine more easily maintained by the user, but not so great for other machines with more limited resources.
  - leshokunin 7y ago
    That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the clarification.
natmaka 8y ago
I was not able to find any mention about integrity. Is there any document explaining how/when/... all packages and "deltas" are sealed? Thank you!
- commoner 8y ago
  Flatpak: http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/basic-concepts.html http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/basic-concepts.html and http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/under-the-hood.html http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/under-the-hood.html Snap: https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-format https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-format and https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-confinement https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-confinement AppImage: https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageSpec/blob/master/draft.md https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageSpec/blob/master/draft.m... If you're looking for something else, please say so and I'll try to find the right information.

15 points by commoner 8y ago

OMG! Ubuntu!'s write-up: https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2019/05/the-linux-app-store-website-lets-you-find-apps-wherever https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2019/05/the-linux-app-store-webs... Source code (GPLv3): https://github.com/linuxappstore/linuxappstore-frontend https://github.com/linuxappstore/linuxappstore-frontend

leshokunin 8y ago

I'm just a casual Linux user, but I'm wondering: is there a demand for this? I've been using Linux Mint and it already comes with a pseudo store. Everything else that I've been installing was one apt-get command away. Is this meant to make Linux more accessible to people who don't currently use it?

commoner 8y ago
These new software packaging systems (Flatpak, Snap, and AppImage) offer several benefits: - All dependencies bundled in one package, which eliminates dependency hell - Delta updates for smaller and faster application updates - Software developers can support all Linux distributions with one release, instead of repackaging their software multiple times - Application sandboxing for additional security (only for Flatpak, Snap with AppArmor, and AppImage with Firejail) - The entire application is contained in one file (only for AppImage) The various app stores (Ubuntu Software Center, GNOME Software, and KDE Discover) already support either Flatpak or Snap, which would make Linux software more accessible to users who prefer a graphical interface for software management.
- webgoat 8y ago
  Only downside I see is that you end up with many repeat dependencies, which takes up more space than the alternative. Still pretty great for a personal Linux machine more easily maintained by the user, but not so great for other machines with more limited resources.
- leshokunin 7y ago
  That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the clarification.

natmaka 8y ago

I was not able to find any mention about integrity. Is there any document explaining how/when/... all packages and "deltas" are sealed? Thank you!

commoner 8y ago
Flatpak: http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/basic-concepts.html http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/basic-concepts.html and http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/under-the-hood.html http://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/under-the-hood.html Snap: https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-format https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-format and https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-confinement https://docs.snapcraft.io/snap-confinement AppImage: https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageSpec/blob/master/draft.md https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageSpec/blob/master/draft.m... If you're looking for something else, please say so and I'll try to find the right information.