I’m using Cosmic, which apes Gnome but is not Gnome. I’m being a total purist though & keeping as much KDE & Gnome out of the DE as possible.

That said, Cosmic has no problem updating the menu when Flatpaks are installed. I also don’t tend to run software from a script just for funsies, it’s usually to do with an automated process. Another issue is sometimes, a script will call on a hook for software, like a browser for example, & flatpaks can cause problems with the scripts locating or sharing data with the scripts due to the nature of the sandboxing.

I still have plenty of flatpaks installed because they are pretty good, even with (what I consider) flaws. Imo flatpaks are kind of like Docker in that they’re great & everything, but also kind of a pain in the ass.

As far as appimages, I guess it doesn’t bother me to update manually once in awhile and, as I just explained, I actually usually want software to have access to everything. I installed Ghostty via appimage, for example, & I use it all the time, but it’s not critical that it gets updates, so I just check manually on occasion.

Anyways, I 100% agree with you on the rest. I’ve never considered the AUR as a giant repo but yeah, that’s a good way to think of it.

The distro I use (Pop_os) has a lot of outdated packages in the ‘store’, & I think that’s pretty common for any distro that’s not bleeding edge.

The store compensates with flatpaks a lot of the times, but my issue with those is they don’t integrate with the system very well. To launch Krita (for a random example), instead of using ‘krita’ in the command line, I need to use like, ‘~/.local/var/org.kritafoundation.krita.flatpak’ (I am making that up, but it’s probably something similar). This becomes a real issue when using scripts or needing software to work system wide.

Appimages are actually my current favorite method for universal install. I rename them, then stuff them in my ~/bin/ directory. My gripe with appimages is there is no auto generated .desktop file.

I like building from source, but sometimes it feels like I install 10 gigs of dependencies to build a 400kb piece of software.

Adding repos was invented by the Devil & is thus appropriately cursed to break systems, so I stay away unless there’s really no other options.

I guess what I’m saying is every single method sucks, but still better than Windows lol.

Honestly, an up-to-date store would be the best of all Worlds, which I suppose is Arch’s AUR, but, nah. Arch looks like a headache.

Anyways, I’m blabbing. That happens when I start geeking out about Linux.

Video link for the layzee.

Believe me, I am not advocating that most people only use their Browser, but it is the reality of the situation & actually kind of a good thing in terms of Linux adoption. As you point out, people moved to Chrome w few issues b/c, imo, most normies just need a browser.

As for the rest of it, most people consider the need to download exes one at a time a downside. And again, flatpaks & appimages are the workaround to universal compatibility (anything but adding repos).

That said, you obviously have a lot of experience. I hope you can get to the point where it doesn’t feel like Linux is fighting you.

Good luck!

Thanks for clarifying.

Yeah what you say about launching I agree with, it’s not a big deal anymore.

There are several ways to install on Windows as well. Either installers, a standalone exe, or via the Windows Store. That’s not really any different than what I’m talking about with the exception of there being more than one “type” of exe (deb, rpm, etc).

On Linux, most people just use the store front that comes with their distro while more advanced users can build from source or whatever b/c they need bleeding edge releases or b/c it’s “fun”.

Adding repos is the Devil & my last resort because that shit will break a system, so I’m w you there.

So yeah, if your main argument is the hurdle to changing systems goes beyond the Start Menu, I agree. That said, it’s not that hard & most people just use a browser anyways, tbh.

I don’t understand this comment.

So you think Linux users have to use a command line to launch applications?

Also, there are appImages for Linux that run exactly like .exe files if that’s how people want to run software, but there are also like 3 other ways to install software, it’s up to the user.

I guess the file structure is different if that’s really a big deal to anyone.

But maybe I’m misunderstanding?

Remember when over 1 million Americans died of COVID under Captain Horse Pastes’ watch?

He’s going to try to break that record this time around.