This could be very interesting and exciting. Canonical has confirmed they're working towards an immutable version of Ubuntu for desktop users based on all the work they've done with Ubuntu Core.
Mentioned initially in a comment on OMGUbuntu with a target for the next LTS (long term support) release, later a full blog post was put up on the official Ubuntu website going into more detail on their thoughts and plans. Don't worry though, the normal Ubuntu releases aren't going anywhere.
For those who don't follow what an immutable OS even is: in simple terms it keeps the main operating system as read-only, which is supposed to make it more stable, secure and easier to update with all your applications isolated from it with some sort of container system. So think like SteamOS on Steam Deck, Fedora Silverblue or Ubuntu Core and even Google's Chrome OS.
From the blog post:
Behind the scenes, the Canonical team has been actively exploring the benefits of Ubuntu Core beyond the realm of IoT, most notably in the context of developers and daily users.
The properties inherent to Ubuntu Core such as secure boot, recovery states and hardware backed encryption would bring significant improvements to the security posture of a user’s PC.
It also introduces the concept of modularity to the user experience, where users may experiment with alternative desktop environment snaps while remaining on a highly stable, signed and secure LTS base.
The use of snap channels also brings into the play the concept of ‘rolling’ certain elements of the distribution. Gamers, for example, might opt-in to a kernel channel that ships the latest NVIDIA drivers as soon as they are available, in the same way the Ubuntu Desktop team did for Mesa as part of our work on the Steam snap.
However, this level of stability and security comes with trade-offs for developers and tinkerers, restricting modification of the base OS in favour of a ‘just works’ experience. For developers who see their device as a platform for open source development, the solution is container-based environments similar to the LXD based Crostini. For tinkerers, the classic Ubuntu images would remain their preferred route to enable full control of (and responsibility for) their system.
While Ubuntu Core is meant for IoT OS for embedded devices, this is something different to give desktop users a potential taste of things to come. With the rise of more applications coming to the likes of Snap and Flatpak, this does make some sense and I think Jorge Castro's blog on how Linux distributions are changing is also a good read for what's to come.
Canonical has been expanding Snaps now for a while with the likes of the stable Steam snap for Ubuntu 23.04, the upcoming CUPS Snap and naturally plenty more to come.
How do you feel about an immutable version of Ubuntu with lots of Snap packages?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: hardpenguinLinux desktop needed immutable desktop since forever. To definitively close the issue of system-breaking updates. This could help Linux adoption in the long run.I guess system-breaking updates is something that happens if you're, I dunno, not using Mint?
Quoting: hardpenguinLinux desktop needed immutable desktop since forever. To definitively close the issue of system-breaking updates. This could help Linux adoption in the long run.
On Ubuntu the only system breaking updates I've encountered are related to nVidia's proprietary driver. If you are lucky to have an AMD GPU you'll probably not encounter any breakage unless if you tinker with your system.
Mountain Man Jun 6, 2023
Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: hardpenguinLinux desktop needed immutable desktop since forever. To definitively close the issue of system-breaking updates. This could help Linux adoption in the long run.I guess system-breaking updates is something that happens if you're, I dunno, not using Mint?
The last time I had to deal with frequent system breaking updates in Linux was around 20 years ago when I was using Gentoo. I got tired of dealing with it so started using Kubuntu which just worked. Switched to Manjora a couple years ago because I wanted something that stayed more up to date. It just works, too.
Last edited by Mountain Man on 7 June 2023 at 3:30 am UTC
Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: hardpenguinLinux desktop needed immutable desktop since forever. To definitively close the issue of system-breaking updates. This could help Linux adoption in the long run.I guess system-breaking updates is something that happens if you're, I dunno, not using Mint?
Using Mint since Ubuntu drop gnome 2 for Unity
Since then I have to agree that just works almost all the time... I have a really bad issue with the XFCE package after updating (https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=297222) so I will say 99% works great and the 1% is just a headache but when thing break down all are the same, just a headache.I have two laptops with Linux Mint 20.3 XFCE and each month I make the same questions, do I need to update ? And do I want to update ? And each month I do the same checkbox
- Working enviroment works? It has all correct versions ?
- Docker still works ?
- The games I play are working ? Scummv ? OpenRA ? RetroArch ?
- Zoom ? Skype ? Teams ? Rocket Chat ? Jitsi ?
- Firefox has last version ? Chromium has last version ?
- PHPStorm works ? Eclipse ? Visual code ? Geany ?
- Can I play my mp3 library ?
And all are a Yes so I put it back another month until 2025 or a machine breaks. I understand that sometime you want or need the latest packages to play a game or install something but I really like the mentality of freezing the core and only give updates of the LTS because I don't have to worry no more of the OS and just do what I want, and with Flatpak I can have the latest version of a program if I need it.
Luckily with linux you are on charge and you can choose what you want to do.
P.S: I really really like to try Pipewire and see better Bluetooth, but don't want to mess the packages!! And don't have time to tinker with them, now a day I rather spend my time playing something that tinkering with the OS and packages!
Quoting: sarmadIf you are lucky to have an AMD GPU you'll probably not encounter any breakage unless if you tinker with your system.Can confirm the same with Xubuntu + Intel for the last 15 years, and Kubuntu + Intel for one year before that. I've never had anything break - though, for clarity, although I'm a major geek I have very ordinary computing requirements (text, photos, games, web), so I'm the least-likely sort of user to run into issues.
dziadulewicz Jun 7, 2023
Quoting: dpanterQuoting: dziadulewicz100%. What greatness Canonical and *buntu used to represent is no longer true, and I do not care one spit for the current iteration. My opinion of course. Feel free to have a different one.Quoting: dpanterCanoniclowns.
Hmm would You say that to their face in person? Meeting Canonical devs and for example Shuttleworth? It is Ubuntu to thank for fair bit for so much in the world of Linux
100% huh. I don't think you still would. It's easy to "say" these things here. And it would have nothing but negative effect in that real life situation.
dziadulewicz Jun 7, 2023
Quoting: spayder26Friendly reminder that Snap is not free software due vendor lock-in (its sole package repository is proprietary).
Snap is free but the Store isn't. You can even put up your own store for snaps against a common belief. Alan Pope explains some of the situation well here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8MgktKqjsU
Quoting: dziadulewiczWhat one says online to faceless entities must be the same things one would say to a persons face, else one has no honor nor integrity. If you cannot or will not stand by your words, then your words are meaningless and are best kept unsaid.Quoting: dpanterQuoting: dziadulewicz100%. What greatness Canonical and *buntu used to represent is no longer true, and I do not care one spit for the current iteration. My opinion of course. Feel free to have a different one.Quoting: dpanterCanoniclowns.
Hmm would You say that to their face in person? Meeting Canonical devs and for example Shuttleworth? It is Ubuntu to thank for fair bit for so much in the world of Linux
100% huh. I don't think you still would. It's easy to "say" these things here. And it would have nothing but negative effect in that real life situation.
Our time on this mostly harmless dustball hurling through space is but a blink in Great A'Tuins eye. The best we can do is choose wisely when we decide what sort of person to be.
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