Canonical has announced a change in the packaging defaults for the various “flavours” like Kubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Budgie and so on to exclude Flatpak and stick with Snap. Yes, that’s flavours, not flavors but also flavors in the announcement.
This will undoubtedly be a contentious issue, because there is no more heated debate in the Linux world than over packing. While Flatpak has recently gained popularity, thanks in part to its inclusion as the official method to add extra files in Desktop Mode on the Steam Deck, Canonical is staying with their own Snap.
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So, what exactly is going on? In brief, Flatpak will no longer be allowed or installed by default in Ubuntu flavours. Users can still do it themselves because they are not deleted from any sources. It’s all about the out-of-the-box experience, with Canonical and the flavours now sticking to deb and snap to keep their emphasis on what they correctly serve and receive the most care.
Flatpak users will see no changes; it is simply the out-of-the-box new-install experience as of April 2023, with the introduction of Ubuntu Lunar Lobster.
After all, isn’t this why we have various distributions? They are free to make whatever choices they want, and those who don’t like it can go elsewhere or simply alter the defaults to their taste — Linux, unlike some other systems, is open and configurable. You can do whatever you want.
So, while it will be contentious, it isn’t precisely a major issue, is it? In a way. It continues to muddle the desktop Linux experience, particularly for younger users, because there is no singular method to install items across various Linux versions. You can’t typically just direct folks to this thing and tell them to get it unless you know what distribution they’re on.
Source:
gamingOnLinux: Ubuntu flavours to drop Flatpak by default and stick to Snaps