The sad state of app distribution on Windows and macOS continues to trip up first-time Linux users. It's still wildly prevalent to ignore the platform app store in favor of going directly to a company’s website to download apps on those platforms—and that makes it confusing to new Linux users who would be best served by using their OS’s built-in app store, instead.
Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh:
in reply to Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh: • • •We do some things—like Flathub badges for the web—to help combat this, but it’s still a losing battle: major ISVs show downloads for “Debian” and “RPMs” which new users don’t understand. I’ve seen new users across elementary OS, Endless OS, and Fedora all get decision paralysis: “I don't know if I need the Debian or Red Hat version” or, "It doesn't show Endless OS so I guess I can’t get it”
I wonder if it’s something we can combat more proactively.
#Flatpak #Flathub #Linux #OpenSource #GNOME
Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh:
in reply to Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh: • • •Adding something to a first-run tour doesn't seem to be a good solution; we’ve seen most people skip/close that on Endless OS, at least.
I sort of hate to suggest it, but maybe something _similar to_ (but distinct from!) what Windows does to direct people to Edge instead of another browser is actually viable?
Think: a pre-installed browser add-on that has a list of known download sites and displays a message to direct people to the app store.
#Linux #Flathub #Flatpak #GNOME #OpenSource
Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh:
in reply to Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh: • • •…Like, “This app may be available in App Center. Installing from App Center is preferred for improved integration plus security and privacy features. [Check App Center]”
If a user gets as far as trying to download a .deb or .rpm (or even .exe/.msi!), we have a utility in Endless OS that kicks in and does a decent job here directing them to the app store. But I get the feeling that we’re losing/confusing people before they even get that far.
#Linux #OpenSource #Flatpak #Flathub #GNOME
Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh:
in reply to Cassidy James :eos: :gg: :fh: • • •The problem can can also be approached from the other direction: ISVs *please* stop promoting .deb/.rpm files—or at least relegate them to a nerdy section down below—and adopt Flatpak!
You can easily target Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Red Hat, Fedora, elementary OS, Endless OS, Steam Deck(!), Arch, etc. with Flatpak, all with minimal-to-zero user setup.
…Maybe do that?
#Linux #OpenSource #Flatpak #Flathub #LinuxApps