[simosx]

This polemic attitude is really bad for open-source.

Snap packages are good, and such efforts may help get the Linux desktop rise over the 3%.

Lenovo announced they are fully supporting Ubuntu desktop for two lines of computers.

[AdmiralAsshat]

Okay...so? Lenovo also announced they're going to certify some laptops for Fedora as well:

https://fedoramagazine.org/coming-soon-fedora-on-lenovo-lapt...

If you're suggesting that we all need to rally behind everything Canonical does because Ubuntu has the best shot of propelling Linux into the mainstream, I would say that's all the more reason to hold them accountable for decisions that the Linux community finds unpopular. Many don't like snaps. Don't force snaps on us through duplicitous means like the chromium installer. Why is that bad for open source?

[simosx]

Lenovo, in their announcement, they start by saying that they made the move because the Linux desktop stands at 2.7%. And they want in, in this 2.7% market. If the Linux desktop becomes a 5% market, or a 8% market, then it will open the floodgates to other companies offering support to desktop Linux.

Source: https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/lenovo-brin...

What I see on HN is perpetual bitching and anti-Ubuntu sentiment. As if the Linux desktop is a zero-sum game. One wins and the rest are gone. In the harsh reality, if the Linux desktop gets like 5% or more, it will signal other companies to start supporting.

The chromium issue has been around since October 2019, https://snapcraft.io/blog/chromium-in-ubuntu-deb-to-snap-tra... Ubuntu cannot support a deb package because Chromium is huge in their dependencies and cannot provide timely updates. Therefore, there is only a snap package. And, what happens if the end-user tries the chromium browser? The system transparently installs the snap package instead of presenting an essay to explain the full background.

Is it so difficult to say respectfully, "everyone do your thing to increase the marketshare of desktop Linux so that it eventually opens the floodgates of support".

You cannot increase the Linux desktop marketshare by staying within the 2.7% of the Linux desktop. You just need to attract new Windows users, not steal Ubuntu users.

[sergeykish]

Ubuntu definitely done a lot of good. 6.06 LiveCD and Theme, installation in Windows partition, these we good.

A lot of people recommended Ubuntu and that I believe is a problem. I got it wrong too. Ubuntu does a lot of experiments on its users - Pulse Audio, Unity, now Snaps. Each time a lot of fuss. It means technology is not ready.

It would be fine if rolled in separate distribution Exbuntu (experimental Ubuntu) and rolled to masses once feature becomes popular, but no. Those who listened to my recommendation would see bugs and that is zero-sum game.

But we can easily resolve it - recommend no nonsense distros - Linux Mint, ElementaryOS, Pop!_OS, Debian. And that's already happening on this page. Ubuntu may even encourage that. Everyone would be happy.

So what is wrong with silent snaps Chromium install? Those who use apt are sophisticated enough to chose. And "issue has been around", have you red The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? “But the plans were on display…”

> You just need to attract new Windows users, not steal Ubuntu users.

That's gross. Have you red what people say? Those who switched to Linux because of such moves from Microsoft. I'm fine with Ubuntu destroying itself. I do not use it. No one steals Ubuntu users, that's Ubuntu who destroy its userbase.

[afiori]

> Ubuntu cannot support a deb package because Chromium is huge in their dependencies and cannot provide timely updates.

Isn't it possible to ship a simple deb that handles the system part (menu, icons, etc) and a single static executable?