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Is it just me or can’t Fedora Silverblue install Flatpaks downloaded from the web (flatpakref) in GNOME Software?

(This is a valid, decentralised way of distributing software that doesn’t require centralised services like Flathub, etc. and should be supported as a first-class citizen in free and open operating systems.)

github.com/fedora-silverblue/i…

#linux #flatpak #gnome #fedora #silverblue

Screenshot of GNOME Software showing an error message in an in-app notification: “Failed to install file: not supported”

[BUG] Cannot install Flatpaks from the web using GNOME Software · Issue #267 · fedora-silverblue/issue-tracker

Summary GNOME Software fails with “Failed to install file: not supported” error when opening a flatpakref file downloaded from the web. Installing Flatpaks from the web site of the app author thems...
GitHub
#linux #gnome #Flatpak #fedora #silverblue
in reply to Aral Balkan

Herr Ungewiss 🐘
Herr Ungewiss 🐘
• •
From time to time I got this message under Ubuntu Budgie too. And another thing is, that it takes sometimes much too long until the installation will start. Installing directly flatpak from the software center is (mostly) working.
in reply to Herr Ungewiss 🐘

Aral Balkan
Aral Balkan
• •

The delay could be due to a platform file being downloaded. Sounds like there is no progress indication for that.

It’s really sad (but not unexpected) to see the bigger distros (backed by large corporations like Canonical and IBM) embrace the centralised software distribution model.

At least independent distributions like elementary OS support decentralised software installation (even if the default is a centralised repository and the dialog shown is scary).

in reply to Aral Balkan

Cassidy James Blaede
Cassidy James Blaede
• •
definitely a bug. The intent is for Flatpaks to be trivially sideloadable with GNOME Software, regardless of the source.

Aral Balkan reshared this.

in reply to Aral Balkan

Cassidy James Blaede
Cassidy James Blaede
• •
this is where I actually prefer the elementary Sideload approach with a small dedicated utility. Less to break, and more clear that it’s a sideload. Theoretically one could install Sideload on a GNOME distro and it should just work, too! You’d have to compile it in a toolbox or something on Silverblue, though.
in reply to Cassidy James Blaede

Aral Balkan
Aral Balkan
• •

Yeah, and I’d really love to see the approach evolve so that the assumption is not “Beware: app from web bad… are you sure you want to potentially ruin your life?" to things like “Ah, this app is free and open source so you can verify the code (gorgeous check mark), etc.”

In other words, an approach that is supportive of decentralised app distribution :)

Perhaps even a whole new app (not just a dialog) that builds a great experience and community around this use case… 🤔

in reply to Aral Balkan

DNA schedule
DNA schedule
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not a fan of this tbh. Stalkerware and ransomware can easily be open source. Curation and trusted institutional app sources are a really good match for end user software.
in reply to Aral Balkan

Sheogorath
Sheogorath
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have you tested how this compares to the CLI? Just curious if it's a flatpak or a GNOME Software limitation.
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