I just tried to upgrade Ubuntu and I suddenly see that new packages want to be installed; snapd and firefox. I don’t need Firefox because I’m already using Firefox-ESR as a deb and I certainly don’t need snaps.
Why is Ubuntu doing this? I get it you like snaps but I don’t, so don’t try to force install it. I had to use apt-mark hold to block the install of snapd and firefox. This is also not an isolated incident. I just checked Reddit and someone made a thread 8 hours back regarding the same issue.
This thing is giving me Microsoft vibes.
I moved to Debian and MX Linux because Ubuntu was deviating from the principles that are important to me. Can I ask why you prefer Firefox-ESR? It’s the first thing I remove when I install Debian! And why do you stick with Ubuntu if you don’t like snaps? Do you have any compatibility issues with other deb-based distros?
My advice: time to move on. Ubuntu has been like that for a while and they have plans to go even further, so move to Debian, which is basically Ubuntu without the issues. Even Firefox-ESR is the default in Debian.
I don’t get these posts saying “Debian is basically Ubuntu”…? It’s the other way around, Ubuntu is literally built from Debian, with Debian itself being the second oldest linux distribution. I had nothing but problems with Ubuntu, but everything has been rock-solid since I moved all my machines to Debian about 15 years ago.
If you want bleeding-edge crap that’s going to break, choose Ubuntu. If you want a machine that always just works and doesn’t ignore your preferences, choose Debian. Yes I have strong opinions on the subject, I have servers that sometimes run for a year between reboots and I don’t put up with crap like security updates completely breaking all networking on all my machines in the middle of the night.
You can use testing (or sid, if you feel lucky) to get newer packages. I have been using testing for a year and I feel great.
One downside of testing is that it isn’t monitored by the Debian security team. Combined with the fact that updates are delayed compared to unstable, it can take many weeks to get important security updates.
If you are not setting up a server I don’t think it matter that much.
Hows the latest debian for gaming? Im thinking of switching but need my steam to just work
Works really well with Flatpak Steam
Pop!_OS has entered the chat.
Does anyone know if Kubuntu does the same with snaps?
Every *buntu has been forced to comply, they took longer but now they are all aligned in this “Snap-it-all, don’t support Flatpak” approach.
Ah too bad… I liked KDE.
I also recommend Fedora if OP wants a similar “just works” experience as Ubuntu.
Been using it for a while now on my desktops/laptops with no issues.
I like Pop! OS too. I think it’s a better Ubuntu than Ubuntu is now, if that makes sense.
How is Debian for servers?
I’m currently running Ubuntu server. And it’s really convenient. I even appreciate snaps as they keep things clean for the server.
Certainly I wanted something Debian based, I know some people using Fedora por servers but I really like Debian/Ubuntu LTR and not having to worry about updates so often.
Does Debian offer a lightweight server image without DE as Ubuntu?
Recently switched my servers from Ubuntu to Debian and it feels virtually identical except much snappier and lower numbers on my resource-usage graphs.
Better than it is for desktop. Stable has tended to live up to its name and has always been my go-to for servers, but may not always be the best choice if for example you want to use new/uncommon hardware with a newer kernel and drivers etc (though compiling your own kernel is always an option, of course)
Debian packports provided what I needed when bullseye had outdated packages before the bookworm release. For qemu, libvirt, kernel and ZFS.
Debian is great. It’s basically Ubuntu (it also uses apt for example) but bit more traditional. In fact it’s probably one of the most popular distros used in servers when you don’t need the support that someone like Redhat can give you especially as a business. And if you can’t live without “snaps” then you can install snapd on Debian.
I would recommend Mint for an easier transition, its what I jumped to from Ubuntu due to Canonical’s behavior and I’ve been happy. It is definitely simpler to use than Debian - which is not to say anything bad about Debian. It’s just less hand-holdy. I like it for servers.
I’m convinced it’s just Shuttleworth with remote shell access to your system via the official snapd package and he’s just installing stuff for the hell of it.
I recommend NixOS. ;)
I’m not brave enough for NixOS :D
It’s overkill for my needs. But I understand the power of a single editable file to recreate your system.
Fair enough.
It really isn’t that bad, though, IMO. Here’s my super-customized xmonad tiling window manager NixOS config fully realized in a github repo. Feel free to fork it if it helps tame some of the intimidation factor.
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