Flatpak

The Linux package format

Benefit for maintainers:

• All-in-one packages. You save a lot of time. Because Flatpak doesn't depend on outside packages. And Flatpak automatically finds what to bundle using deduplication.

• Single package for all Linux distributions. List of distributions at https://flatpak.org/setup/

• Rapid updates. Send your updates directly to all your users. Your users do not have to wait for package repositories to update their list.

• Strong security. Using automated sandbox. With optional override for users of Flatseal.

• Use any repository to your liking. Your own, the https://codeberg.org , GitLab, GitHub, any others. Details at https://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/publishing.html

• Distribute any type of applications with Flatpak. Including. But not limited to, system level, command line, desktop, utilities, or independent applications. When packaging the application, to set the access level, simply add one easy word to the Flatpak parameter "--filesystem=". Details about this are in this documentation at https://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/sandbox-permissions-reference.html#filesystem-permissions

___• Optionally, users can override the above permission using this free, easy to use, and powerful Flatseal at https://flathub.org/apps/com.github.tchx84.Flatseal

• If you are full, as maintainer, you could easily delegate to anyone to your liking both the creation and the maintenance of the application for the Flathub repository. In other words, any volunteer can add an application to Flathub. It does not have to be the maintainer.

• Developer guide at https://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/

• Free community support for maintainers:

___• Forum at https://discourse.flathub.org/

___• Instant message at https://matrix.to/#/#flatpak:matrix.org

___• Mailing list at https://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/flatpak

Benefit for users:

• Easy and quick installation of the latest free application version at https://flathub.org

• Automatically use any theme to your liking for all apps or selected app. Assuming the app supports theming. This is powered by Flatseal.

___•Steps at https://discourse.flathub.org/t/gtk4-apps-do-not-use-adwaita-dark/1327/2

___•Get Flatseal at https://flathub.org/apps/com.github.tchx84.Flatseal

• Integration with GNOME. You are able to easily install Flatpak applications using the GNOME you're familiar with. When needed, you can still install Flatpak app using https://flathub.org , Terminal, and many other options.

• Of all the packaging options available, Flatpak definitely has the strongest security. Because each application is sanboxed. While at the same time, for some application, the default permissions grant too much access. So users who need strong security need to learn to use Flatseal to adapt the permissions at https://flathub.org/apps/com.github.tchx84.Flatseal

• Freedom. You get more freedom with Flatpak. Because https://flathub.org is controlled by a friendly not-for-profit community of users. In comparison, Snap Store is controlled by the for-profit corporation Canonical. So in the future, under constant pressure from its secret shareholders, when Canonical decides to close Snap Store, you will be in trouble. Not-for-profit community value you the people above profit. There are lots of benefit for you associated with this. Usually, for-profit corporations value money above you, the people. There are lots of risk associated with this.

___• Sources about who controls Flatpak is under "Acknowledgements" title at https://flathub.org/about

___• Sources about who controls Snap Store at https://ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/snap-store-terms

• Optionally, override any permissions of any Flatpak package using this free, easy to use, and powerful Flatseal at https://flathub.org/apps/com.github.tchx84.Flatseal

Challenge with Flatpak:

• The first few applications you install use significantly more storage space. Because Flatpak needs to download runtime(s). But those runtimes are downloaded only once and shared with all other applications. This means that on the long term, after installing the first few applications, the storage space used no longer significantly increase. Also, most users with recent devices or with large storage are not affected by this challenge.

It really simplify staying updated with edge release of gnu/linux applications.