[wazoox]

There are "core" linux distros, like Slackware. There are many attempts at autonomous apps distribution like zero-install and openpkg that mostly work, and probably would work fine with a reasonable effort backing them.

[1]: http://0install.net/ [2]: http://www.openpkg.org/

Of course the problem is that the big distros (redhat, debian) can't be bothered to care.

[sirclueless]

And in fact, with their sysadmin focus, they explicitly are opposed to this method. If your goal isn't a desktop experience but rather protection from every adversary at all times, then only vetting a small core and letting people run various and sundry packages from third parties is flat-out irresponsible. But of course this is what desktop users want -- to run any software they like with no hoops to jump through or update schedules to keep on top of, so they will always be at odds.