this post was submitted on 19 Apr 2025
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Linux
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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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Thanks for posting that was really informative i was always intending on learning more about package managers at some point. What I wonder is when you want a package and it's available as both a dnf package and a flatpack which one should you chose?
Native then Appimage then Flatpak. Security is the same in the end, but in Flatpak with extra steps, while Flatpak has a huge framework that can fail too.
Appimmages seam a lot like reverting to the old way of downloading packages like the installers you see in Windows and macos are appimages somehow better or different?
I would rather compare appimage to PortableApps, except it bundles dependencies too.
OK that makes sense, thanks.
Ah, typical Arch user response. "Everything is bloat. Stop having fun." If it works for somebody else, let them. I get where you're coming from, needlessly adding things because you can, leads to enshittification. But, trying new ways of doing things is the whole point. If it works and the majority of people use it then it succeeded. Bloat or not, if it gets new users to switch then it's a net positive. Plus, Gentoo>Arch. If you don't use custom flags and debloat the kernel you're argument is invalid.
There are different types of users. Those who want something to work out of the box and those who like to put in the work to make the os into something personal. Usually, at least with the people I've come across, if you give them something the "works" but if they can tinker and make it better they'd learn. Now, not everybody is like that. Some just want to browse the Internet and play games. Flatpak, while not perfect, is a solution to a problem. Not everybody wants to adjust config files and/or configure wine bottles for every game.
As for your comment about drobbins... I can't argue. The greatest thing about Linux is the freedom to use what ever distro works for your needs. If switching from one because it doesn't do what you want, by all means, switch. But, if you are more computer literate and like to learn about how the os actually works; it doesn't matter which distro, you can figure out how to fix the problem and contribute to the community so others can fix it too.
I've been using Linux (also Arch, several years, happily!) since 1996 and for a long time I've wondered why every software I run gets access to every file I have.
Flatpak is one way to fix that.
Oh okay, I see. You don't perhaps care about programs reading the files of other programs. Well, that's fine, everybody has their own threat models.