Very inconsistent behavior for installation: flatpaks require no specific rights but normal packages require sudo password. Not a good UX in that regard.
I know vaguely that flatpak is "like docker" in terms of wrapping dependencies.
I have no clue how that translates to missing features of compatibility issues with other apps.
Even knowing which is more up to date isn't shown. Or why i should pick one over the other.
The multiple packaging types confounded my efforts to debug an issue I had with VLC, as i initially thought it was a flatpak permissions problem.. No evidence, just hearsay by what i'd seen of flatpak in general online.
And if the packaging difference does matter (as it did for my vlc issue, one solution only worked for the deb), then an explanation for newbies should be given as to the general expectations for each package type.
Or should I just "git gud" and go digging through ppa/flathub? mailing lists to find a 2013 reply to a post?
> or should I just "git gud"
The opposite. Just blindly click on one. If it works you are done, if not click on a different one.
You are really, really overcomplicating this for no reason.
Same with selinux: Lots of "advice" was just to turn it off completely.
> You would have no idea why
Yes, file a bug to get it fixed instead of leaving other users standing in the rain.
Like for example I've been playing with Kodi and as a deb package you can't install some (but not all) add-ons through the built in UI, you have to go find special apt packages for them and install those outside the Kodi UI. Nowhere is this documented or visible to users--Kodi's webpage doesn't concern itself with how Debian packages it so no mention there, and Debian itself is a black hole of information for end users. The exact same issue is present with RetroArch and its Debian packages version. My bottom line is I always pick a deb package as the very last option and expect pain or confusion when doing so.
1. Slack is a snap. Do you have to run it in the browser? I don't know if desktop sharing works well there, it's been years since I only used their app (Electron?)
2. Is flatpack optional or are there some mandatory flatpack apps that are part of the system? I'd like a deb only system.
3. Contrary to some of us I don't want to use a tiling window manager. Can I keep using my heavily customized Gnome Shell or do I have to use whatever System 76 created for Pop_OS?
2. I'm not sure how mandatory flatpak is. I suspect it's optional, but I'd suggest testing removal on a non-essential install before committing to it.
3. The tiling feature is completely optional and can be disabled easily in the settings.
And the tiling extension is off by default. It's just a little toggle in the (very nice) settings dialog to turn it on or off. You can totally uninstall it too as it's just a regular gnome extension (and you can even install it right now on non-pop gnome 3 systems).