Ubuntu Unleashed, Part 1: Mastering Ubuntu with Gnome Software, Flatpak, and Snap Support

Welcome to the first installment of "Ubuntu Unleashed," where we embark on a journey to transform your Ubuntu experience into something more efficient, familiar, and fast. Whether you're a seasoned Linux veteran or a newcomer eager to explore the world of Ubuntu, this series will guide you through the ins and outs of customization and optimization. In this inaugural article, we'll dive into the essentials of software management by installing Gnome Software and integrating Flatpak and Snap support.

Why Gnome Software?

Gnome Software is a powerful and user-friendly application management tool that streamlines the process of discovering, installing, and managing software on your Ubuntu system. Unlike the default Ubuntu Software Center, Gnome Software offers a more intuitive interface and better integration with various software repositories, including Flatpak and Snap. By setting up Gnome Software, you'll unlock access to a broader range of applications and enjoy a more polished software management experience.

The Ubuntu App Center has gone through a lot of name changes - from "Snap Store" to "Ubuntu Software" to "App Center".

Step 1: Installing Gnome Software

First things first, let's get Gnome Software up and running on your system. Open your terminal and enter the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-software

These commands will update your package list and install Gnome Software. Once the installation is complete, you can launch Gnome Software from your applications menu.

Step 2: Adding Flatpak Support

Flatpak is a universal package format that allows you to install applications in a sandboxed environment, ensuring they run smoothly across different Linux distributions.

In general, I've noticed that Flatpak apps seem to be faster and less resource intensive than snaps (which is what Ubuntu App Store uses).

Check out Flatpak!

️‍🔥 Explore Flatpak Apps

To add Flatpak support to your system, follow these steps:

1. Install Flatpak:

   sudo apt install flatpak

1. Add the Flathub repository:

Flathub is the primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable it, run:

   sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

1. Integrate Flatpak with Gnome Software:

To make Flatpak applications available in Gnome Software, install the Flatpak plugin:

   sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

Step 3: Adding Snap Support

Snap is another universal package format that simplifies the installation and management of applications. It’s developed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, and provides an easy way to access the latest software. Here's how to add Snap support to Gnome Software:

1. Ensure Snapd is installed:

Snapd is the background service that manages Snap applications. To install it, run:

   sudo apt install snapd

1. Install the Snap plugin for Gnome Software:

   sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-snap

Step 4: Restart and Explore

After completing the above steps, it's a good idea to restart your system to ensure all changes take effect. You won't always have to, but when you get a chance, it's certainly beneficial. Once your system is back up, launch Gnome Software, and you should see a wide array of applications available for installation, including those from Flathub and Snap.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully set up Gnome Software with Flatpak and Snap support, giving you access to a vast universe of applications. In the next part of "Ubuntu Unleashed," we'll delve deeper into customization, exploring themes, extensions, and other tweaks to make your Ubuntu experience truly your own. Stay tuned!

If you found this guide helpful or have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy customizing!

Article by BestCodes.
This article was written with AI assistance. All information has been verified as accurate as of 08/04/2024.