Linux software installation

The rocky road to better Linux software installation: Containers, containers, containers

https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/26/linux_software_installation/

 

"In comparison, installing software on Windows is easy." ~ op cit

And herein lies the problem.

 

In fact, installing software on Linux is easier than on Windows if you stick to the official repo's of the distro you're running.

 

I agree. It all comes down to what you want to install and whether you really need it instead of open-source alternative.

 

Why is it easier?

 

Usually, but upgrading can need adding the PPA. Hence Snaps on Ubuntu. I managed to upgrade the PPA Pinta which I'd run since Trusty but it wasn't stable. Although I think it was a Mono dependencies thing. I'll have to look at again. The Snap's fine though.



It works well. Should work on other Ubuntu flavours. There are other distros though. Getting it to run on them might not be so easy. I originally got the PPA version from the USC.


It took me a long time and multiple attempts to install Cartes du Ciel from the Terminal. I've run it for years.



I managed to upgrade CdC from the Terminal a couple of days ago. It took several attempts and I was pleasantly surprised when it upgraded via the Software Updater the next day!



I agree most repo installs are easier. However, there are or can be problems. I'm not over keen on using a Snap as a browser and none of my browsers are. But I think they can solve some problems for other apps.

 

I think the vast majority of Linux users finds everything they need in the repos.

 

Instead of searching the Web, downloading installer, clicking buttons in installation wizard, you just type like three words in command line. You can also use GUI to search and install if you prefer of course.

 

Easier than that from the Ubuntu Software Centre. Just click Install!

 

That's the easy bit.

 

Way faster too. In fact, installing updates on Linux is analogous to a Ferrari in a race against a Yugo, Windows being the latter.

 

A Yugo with flat tyres and no petrol ... that's easily broken into ...

 

I'm still on Linux Mint 19.3 (based on Ubuntu 18.04) so I had to resort to a few PPA's as well.
Some packages, like MPV media player, I have compiled (PPA abandoned...) to have the latest and greatest. Not always possible because of dependencies...

Next option: AppImages.
Since these are slow to start, I unpack them like this:

Code:

./LibreWolf.x86_64.AppImage --appimage-extract

I don't want to use snaps.
See the opinion of the lead developer of Linux Mint:
https://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=3906

 

I can live with some Snaps, there are advantages and disadvantages. My VLC, SMPlayer and MPV players aren't Snaps, although Electron is. I never used Ubuntu 18.04 and upgraded from 16.04 LTS straight to 20.04 LTS. This time I'll upgrade in April with everyone else.

 

I don't get it, so you will download software via the command line? I have read the article, but didn't fully understand it. I thought it was mostly about file extensions on Linux, but perhaps it was also about the Apple Mac Store and the Microsoft Store that make it easy to download apps. I personally prefer downloading software from the web.

 

Yes, I do. You can use GUI if you like, too. It searches, and downloads, and verifies signature, and installs package and its dependencies. Not everything is in repositories though, but most new people understimate how many useful programs are here out of box.

 

Another big advantage is, that programs, as well as system packages, get updated all in one go.
No more hunting on the internet.

So, e.g. when there is a new Firefox version, I already have it on my system before Mood gets the chance to post it on Wilders.

 

Plus it won't change your home page and search engine preferences, steal your bank details, install tracking software or redirects to betting and porn sites.

 

Of all applications that I use, only a few are non-repository versions:
4K Video Downloader (Ubuntu 64-bit portable version), Clonezilla, Etcher (AppImage) and NormCap (AppImage).
And if I feel doing fancy, I could use ksnip (AppImage or Snap) (starting with Ubuntu 21.04 there's a repository version) instead of Xfce4-screenshooter.

Is that Mint specific? Is that the repository version, or a Snap, or PPA version?
On Kubuntu, the repository Firefox version is usually somewhat later available.

 

That's a PPA.
However:

Never had issues with it though.

 

Ah, thanks.
Is there a reason you use the PPA instead of the repository version?

 

@Stupendous Man
(offtopic)
About 4K Video Downloader: Have you read my post here?
There is some questionable "telemetry" involved.

 

I added that PPA at a time when Mint was very slow with Firefox updates.
Don't know how it is now. Haven't looked back.

 

Yes, I have, thanks very much.

Ah, thanks, I understand.

 

OK I see, but isn't this the same as the Apple App Store and the Windows Store?