39
The Linux experice
(lemmy.ml)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
39 points (85.5% liked)
Linux
47998 readers
1221 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
I can only recommend you to look into using Flatpak to install graphical applications. It avoids the whole dependency or permission issues because it ships apps in their own well tested little sandbox. From a end user perspective its somewhat similar to how applications are bundled on macOS.
If there is a dependency problem in the upstream packages, then there is a bug in Ubuntu. This doesn't happen often, and isn't a good reason to go to Flatpak by itself. A bug should be filed upstream and it'll likely get fixed quickly.
There is likely no bug they are just confused. Simple tools help.
You're recommending Flatpak for users that are confused by packages?
Absolutely. No worry of dependencies, lower risk of harming system accidentally, more reproducible environment likely to work, less distribution specific details.
It is excellent for new users.
If the package manager leaves you with broken dependencies, a broken system, or a system that "doesn't work," then there are significant bugs in how the distro has packaged things. It happens, but seldomly.
Package managers aren't "hard." There are GUIs where you can search and install packages, even. In my opinion, if you have a Linux user that has avoided learning how package managers work, then they're skipping a core foundation of how to use their operating system.
When a user knows nothing they can do anything. The internet is so full of bad Linux advice.
They will install bad PPAs, run random binary installers, there are even guides that show how to convert other distributions packages to another. A new user doesn’t understand why any of this is bad, they just did the first google result.