Linux apps that run anywhere

#1

Post by devaroop » Tue, May 21, 2019, 11:32 AM UTC

Linux apps that run anywhere
appimage.org

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#2

Post by giancarlostoro » Wed, May 22, 2019, 2:34 AM UTC

You know if even Linus Torvalds likes it, you've done something right. I love the idea of solving the current approaches to installing / maintaining software on Linux. This is one approach I do like, but I still appreciate maintaining packages through a package manager. I would love to see a best of both worlds, packages like deb that can both run directly and be managed through the package manager, depending on how you choose to run them.

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#3

Post by dorfsmay » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:13 AM UTC

Anybody has strong feelings about AppImage vs Snap vs Flatpack (and any other similar ones)?

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#4

Post by im_down_w_otp » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:13 AM UTC

One of the issues I've had with things distributed as Snaps or Flatpaks is that they tend not to pickup the settings and preferences that I've configured on my workstation.

For example, if I've setup themes, fonts, scaling factors, custom keyboard shortcuts, etc., they tend not to be available/utilized by the applications which are distributed in these bundling formats. For the most part, that's why I avoid using them.

I assume, but don't actually know, that this also true of AppImage. Can anybody who knows better confirm, or deny, that?

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#5

Post by voodootrucker » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:18 AM UTC

What people use it for at the top, what it does in the middle, and how it works at the bottom, buried in a video - typical modern sites (except this one at least has the video).

What I would like to see: 1. Problem statement 2. How this solves it 3. Usage guide 4. Source code link 5. No appeal to authority of who's using it

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#6

Post by sandov » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:23 AM UTC

dorfsmay wrote: post #3

Anybody has strong feelings about AppImage vs Snap vs Flatpack (and any other similar ones)?

I like the concept of AppImage much more than Snap and Flatpak.

I fully embrace the idea of decentralized distribution of applications, as opposed to the way package managers work (central repository mantained by the distro)

I believe the operating system should only be concerned about the base software and present a sane interface so that the user can then install the specific programs they need, the OS should not care about how or where the user gets those programs.

Appimage is the only project I know that respects that idea. Snap and Flatpak are centralized AFAIK (or are unnecessarily hard to use in a decentralized manner).

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#7

Post by viraptor » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:28 AM UTC

sandov wrote: post #6

dorfsmay wrote: post #3

Anybody has strong feelings about AppImage vs Snap vs Flatpack (and any other similar ones)?

I like the concept of AppImage much more than Snap and Flatpak. I fully embrace the idea of decentralized distribution of applications, as opposed to the way package managers work (central repository mantained by the distro) I believe the operating system should only be concerned about the base software and present a sane interface so that the user can then install the specific programs they need, the OS should not c…

If you haven't seen it yet, you may find Fedora Silverblue interesting.

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#8

Post by Wowfunhappy » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:33 AM UTC

sandov wrote: post #6

dorfsmay wrote: post #3

Anybody has strong feelings about AppImage vs Snap vs Flatpack (and any other similar ones)?

I like the concept of AppImage much more than Snap and Flatpak. I fully embrace the idea of decentralized distribution of applications, as opposed to the way package managers work (central repository mantained by the distro) I believe the operating system should only be concerned about the base software and present a sane interface so that the user can then install the specific programs they need, the OS should not c…

Flatpak's can be distributed as standalone ".flatpak" bundles that can be installed offline. I'm not sure why this isn't promoted more.

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#9

Post by deviantfero » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:34 AM UTC

sandov wrote: post #6

dorfsmay wrote: post #3

Anybody has strong feelings about AppImage vs Snap vs Flatpack (and any other similar ones)?

I like the concept of AppImage much more than Snap and Flatpak. I fully embrace the idea of decentralized distribution of applications, as opposed to the way package managers work (central repository mantained by the distro) I believe the operating system should only be concerned about the base software and present a sane interface so that the user can then install the specific programs they need, the OS should not c…

How is this different from windows? I think this is good for dependency heavy apps, such as krita, but you should still try to keep things as centralized as possible, makes updates easier and painless

Re: Linux apps that run anywhere

#10

Post by sandov » Wed, May 22, 2019, 3:34 AM UTC

viraptor wrote: post #7

sandov wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I like the concept of AppImage much more than Snap and Flatpak. I fully embrace the idea of decentralized distribution of applications, as opposed to the way package managers work (central repository mantained by the distro) I believe the operating system should only be concerned about the base software and present a sane interface so that the user can then install the specific programs they need, the OS should not c…

If you haven't seen it yet, you may find Fedora Silverblue interesting.

I'll take a look at it. Thanks for the suggestion.