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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by xavier666@lemm.ee to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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.

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[-] unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de 55 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] Shdwdrgn@mander.xyz 22 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] code@lemmy.mayes.io 4 points 1 year ago

Hows the latest debian for gaming? Im thinking of switching but need my steam to just work

[-] DarkDarkHouse 6 points 1 year ago

As a longtime Debian user, I would look elsewhere for gaming.

[-] Shdwdrgn@mander.xyz 5 points 1 year ago

Afraid I couldn't tell you, I've never been a gamer.

[-] cyberic@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 1 year ago

Pop!_OS has entered the chat.

[-] code@lemmy.mayes.io 3 points 1 year ago

yea going to have to give pop a try. the bad thing is getting all my shit moved over. Ive been on ubuntu for the last 7 years

[-] elderflower@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Works really well with Flatpak Steam

[-] ILurkAndIKnowThings@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

As a longtime Debian user, Steam can work really well on Debian, but rarely there are some things that fall between the cracks when some packages get updated. There's also a bit of latest-and-greatest envy because Debian (even testing) is a little bit behind. If you're only using your computer for Steam, look elsewhere. If you want a mostly reliable desktop computer and are okay with occasional hiccups, Debian is pretty awesome. Honestly, any computer you use will run into some issues eventually. If you get familiar with the Debian way of doing things, you're gonna have a good time!

[-] PlasmaK@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] what@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] PlasmaK@lemmy.ml 1 points 11 months ago

If you are not setting up a server I don't think it matter that much.

[-] dragnet@lemmy.fmhy.ml 11 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] phx@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 year ago

Yeah, Mint actually still maintains packaged versions for stuff that Ubuntu went snap-only crazy on

[-] SymbolicLink@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] CrabAndBroom@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 year ago

I like Pop! OS too. I think it's a better Ubuntu than Ubuntu is now, if that makes sense.

[-] eight_byte@feddit.de 3 points 1 year ago

I quickly tried out Fedora and was very surprised how good it is. Just wondering how the fact that RHEL plans to go closed source will impact Fedora in the long term. Do you know?

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[-] daniskarma@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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?

[-] bookworm@feddit.nl 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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.

[-] phx@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

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)

[-] what@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 year ago

Debian packports provided what I needed when bullseye had outdated packages before the bookworm release. For qemu, libvirt, kernel and ZFS.

[-] Nullpointer@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

Download the netinst image. You get the option of installing a de or none entirely.

[-] InverseParallax@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Perfect for servers, best there is.

It's Ubuntu server minimal without snaps and their ubuntu-cloud, that's it.

I think they use network manager instead of net plan too, but I think you can switch.

Just solid as all f*. My hypervisor is debian, freebsd and other debian running the apps underneath.

[-] null@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 year ago

Recently switched my servers from Ubuntu to Debian and it feels virtually identical except much snappier and lower numbers on my resource-usage graphs.

[-] pglpm@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago

Does anyone know if Kubuntu does the same with snaps?

[-] unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de 13 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] xavier666@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

Define "forced to comply". I understand Canonical can do anything with Ubuntu, which is why this random forced snap install happened.

But do they have similar authority over the rest of the bunch?

[-] unknowing8343@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 1 year ago

As per this article, it seems like Canonical finally had to specifically enforce it on the remixes, and required them to comply with the "new rules".

[-] squidzorz@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

It sounds like that's just part of the game if you want to be considered "official".

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RecognizedFlavors

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[-] PlasmaK@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago
[-] EddyBot@feddit.de 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

at this point a lot of people who don't like Snaps just ditched Ubuntu for something else like Linux Mint or Debian
otherwise you will be constantly fight against your distro maintainers with every upgrade

[-] TrivialBetaState@sopuli.xyz 13 points 1 year ago

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?

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[-] gabriele97@lemmy.g97.top 12 points 1 year ago

Yep I think it's time to stop using Ubuntu because of snap and how they are forcing it. Nowadays the are many distros suitable as daily driver. If you don't want something too much different I suggest Pop OS (I use it on all my machines). In those years it has proven to be very stable, maintainers behind it are very good in what they do and it's pretty much updated (for example new kernels and new Nvidia GPU drivers are tested by the maintainers before they offer the update to you, so when you update you are 90% sure that everything will be ok)

[-] shaka 10 points 1 year ago

If you don't want this to happen in the future there is a solution that still works in the steps 4 and 5 of the first section of this tutorial:

https://www.debugpoint.com/remove-snap-ubuntu/

[-] xavier666@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago

That's exactly what I wanted. Thanks.

But makes me wonder how apt-mark is different 🤔🤔

[-] demesisx@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago
[-] xavier666@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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.

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[-] taanegl@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

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.

[-] fubo@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

The folks who run Ubuntu don't seem to be appreciating the work done by Debian developers and other Free Software maintainers. I'd suggest switching to another distribution. I use Pop!_OS which takes Ubuntu and strips out most of the tentacles. Other good options include Mint and vanilla Debian.

[-] 3v1n0@feddit.it 3 points 1 year ago

You know those developers are often the same, right?

[-] xavier666@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

Maybe I'll give Pop!_OS another go. I forgot why I didn't want it in the first place, maybe it didn't have a minimal edition or something.

[-] INeedMana@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

I'm afraid Ubuntu has always been like that. For me it all started with core settings binaries being able to run only if X was running too and not including make tools in base installation in the times when not everyone had internet access

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this post was submitted on 05 Jul 2023
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