xr:d:DAFcK6-Fc64:4,j:48063963271,t:23030319
One of the problems that many see in Linux is fragmentation, the number of distributions, desktops and package formats that make it impossible to know which one to choose. The options could be somewhat reduced if the idea of creating a store to install all applications on all desktops prospers.
The heads of the GNOME and KDE foundations are discussing the possibility of creating a single app store based on the Flatpak package format
One store to install them all
The absolutely lousy idea (Below I explain why I say this) includes the removal of the respective software centers and native package formats such as DEB and RPM.
The stated goal is the promotion of diversity and sustainability in the Linux desktop community. incorporating the possibility of receiving payments, donations and subscriptions in applications downloaded from the Flathub application store. Some promoters of the idea are former Google executive Eric Schmidt, GNOME president Robert McQueen; former GNOME CEO and Debian Project Leader Neil McGovern; and the president of KDE, Aleix Pol.
Why is it a bad idea?
We can argue forever and ever about the comparative merits between Flatpak and Snap. The point is that those who disparage Snap for its close ties to Canonical forget that Flatpak is a project originating from Red Hat and, Since 2012, Red Hat has taken advantage of its financial support for various open source projects to impose its technology regardless of its merits. For example, we have the creation of the Wayland graphical server when X11 still had a lot to offer.
However, Flatpak advocates have a point when they claim that Snaps is controlled by Canonical which mandates copyright allocations for contributions to the Snap format and the store. Anyone can create their own Flatpak store with no requirements.
It is not the first attempt to incorporate payment applications. Ubuntu tried it with the Unity software center and so did the Linspire and Elementary OS distributions
I agree with your assessment. Too bad they didn't take the opportunity to create something that has the same approach as Linux.
Well there, I think the fragmentation of Stores is unnecessary. And to gather all the applications in a single place, it would be something more attractive for the developers.