Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
How to run the future "Snappy-Only" Ubuntu. Today.
The future of Ubuntu arrives in 2024. But you can take it for a spin right now.
July 03, 2023
post photo preview

We recently learned that Ubuntu is planning to move to an entirely Snap-based, immutable system some time in 2024.

Well, that future "Snappy-only Ubuntu" isn't merely theoretical.  It is far enough along that you can take it for a test drive.  Right now.

How to run Snappy-Only Ubuntu Core

Taking this for a test drive is pretty doggone simple:

  1. Go to the Ubuntu Core build page on GitHub.
  2. Click on a recent "build-image".
  3. At the very bottom of that page, you'll find an IMAGE.ZIP file.  Download it.
  4. Extract that IMAGE.ZIP file and flash it to a thumb drive.  Or fire it up in a Virtual Machine.  Or however you'd like to try this bad-mama-jama out.

Just be prepared: You will encounter bugs.

What we know

A few interesting points worth noting about this "Snappy-Only Ubuntu":

  • Canonical / Ubuntu are shipping a number of new applications, and focusing on developing them with Flutter -- the UI toolkit from Google.  Not with GTK.  This includes a brand new, Flutter-based Terminal.
  • A new (again, Flutter-based) application called "Workshops" allows you to choose what containers to launch based on different distributions.
  • Can run multiple different versions of the same (or different) desktop environments on the same system.  Each sandboxed.
  • Built on top of the 22.04 Long Term Support release of Ubuntu.  In theory this would change to the latest Long Term Support version when that happens.
  • This truly is Snap Only.  There is no apt here.  Which, I suppose, is kinda the point.
  • These builds are buggy and not yet ready for daily usage.  But it's interesting to see where the future of Ubuntu is headed.

So many Snappy Questions

At this point there are a number of questions about how this Snappy-Only Ubuntu is going to roll out:

  1. When will it release?  Rumor has it currently as making a debut in April of 2024.  But nothing firm.
  2. Will it become the default Ubuntu?  Again, no firm answer there... but the "word on the street" is that, eventually, yes.  This is what Ubuntu will become.  But not at first.  The first release will likely be an optional thing.  Much like how Ubuntu handled the switch to the Unity Desktop (optional for a few releases... then default).
  3. Will there be any support for APT or Flatpak or other package formats?  Currently... the answer appears to be no.
  4. What will performance and daily usage be like?  It is difficult to evaluate the current builds (as they are a tad buggy).  But, considering the problems with Snap packaged applications in current Ubuntu releases (such as Firefox performance issues, access to printing resources, etc.) one has to wonder what using a 100% Snappy system will be like in practice.

Screenshots are cool

Here are some shots of both the new terminal and, most interestingly, the new "Workshops" application -- which will be central to usage of this new, future version of Ubuntu.

This is "Workshops".  A flutter-based application for starting containers based on different distributions.  Note the gigantic "Ubuntu" button.

 

Once you've selected a container in "Workshops", you can then choose what that container has access to on your system. Most notably: sound, the GPU, and your home directory.

 

This is the new Flutter-based Ubuntu Terminal.

Copyright © 2023 by Bryan Lunduke.  All rights reserved.  The contents of this article are licensed under the terms of The Lunduke Content Usage License.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
13
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Debian Elects New DEI Focused Project Leader

The new Leader of Debian Linux, Sruthi Chandran, beat her only opponent, the aptly named "None of the above", on a "Diversity" and "Less (cis)male" platform.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:07:28
Open Source Exemption Added to Colorado Age Verification Bill

According to System76's CEO, who has seen the amended Colorado SB26-051, Linux, GitHub, and other Open Source projects and systems would not require Age Verification.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:20:15
Illinois Operating System Age Verification Law Passes House, Moves to Senate

Illinois HB 5511, which would require all Operating Systems (Linux, Windows, etc.) to include Age Verification, is moving closer to becoming law. And it's a really WEIRD one.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:16:18
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

With AI capable of doing the heavy lifting for them, Locals notifications still being broke is even more unacceptable.

Ok so Moebius (the ANSI art creation tool) looked to have had the maintainer go on permanent sabbatical, it hadn't been updated in 3 years, and there were quite a few bugs reported that hadn't been addressed, so I forked it, as you do...

https://github.com/christiansacks/moebius

I've added 256 colour (and true colour) support, optimised a bunch of stuff and the latest release is available to download for Windows/MacOS/Linux plus you can just clone the repo and run it via npm.

If anyone enjoys ANSI art, and wants to make some art, grab one of the binaries or the source and run it and have fun.

If you do use it, and enjoy it, please consider starring the repo =)

3 hours ago

Prego pasta sauce company is offering a Alexa type device that records dinner conversations and definitely doesn't spy on you.

We live in a world that captures everything. Photos. Videos. Messages. Moments made for sharing.
But the place where real connection still happens – the dinner table – is often left behind.
Prego believes the everyday moments and connections built around the dinner table matter.
That’s why Prego partnered with StoryCorps® to help families sit down together and capture the laughter, stories, and check-ins that happen naturally over a meal.

https://www.campbells.com/prego/the-connection-keeper/

Last call for the "Amiga" Lifetime Subscriber Wall. It's almost full!

Holy smokes, that was fast.

The 6th Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscriber Wall (aka the “Amiga OS 3.1” Wall) was introduced… what… a week ago?

I kid you not, the darn thing is already almost full! I was wildly unprepared for how popular this would be!

There’s enough space left for maybe 5 or 6 more names. Tops. Then I’ve gotta declare “Wall 6 (Amiga) is Full” and start Wall Number 7!

Here’s what all of the Lifetime Subscriber Walls look like (each shown at the end of every Lunduke Journal video):

 

If you want to get onto the Lifetime Subscriber Wall (and have any chance of making it onto the Amiga Wall before it’s full) here’s what you need to do (and do it quickly):

  1. Grab a Lifetime Subscription to The Lunduke Journal (if you don’t already have one).

    1. A Lifetime Sub includes all the standard perks (plus a few) and can be picked up via Locals, Substack, or Bitcoin (whichever you prefer).

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” and let me know how you would like your name displayed (“Joe A.”, “Joseph Arnold”, “JoeyPants”, “SirJJMcManly”, etc.)

It’s first come, first served.

If you’ve already emailed me about being added to the wall, your spot is secured.

For the rest of you: Chop chop. At the current rate, I would be very surprised if the “Amiga Wall” wasn’t full by some time this weekend.

“Lifetime Wall 7” will be unveiled after the final name is added to the Amiga Wall. And, yes, it will be a different (awesome) retro computing platform.

As always, a huge thank you to every subscriber to The Lunduke Journal. Absolutely none of this would be possible without your support.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
post photo preview
Amiga Lifetime Wall & March Lunduke Journal Stats!

Hello all of you amazing Lunduke Journal subscribers!

With March now behind us, I wanted to give you crazy kids a quick “behind the scenes” look at the stats for The Lunduke Journal. Because Inside Baseball stuff is fun.

The Amiga Wall!

But before we dive into charts and numbers… behold! The brand new 6th Lifetime Subscriber Wall of Shame Awesomeness! The AmigaOS 3.1 Wall!

 

Every Lifetime Subscriber Wall (which I show at the end of each video) is a real screenshot from a different computing platform. Mostly retro. All awesome.

 

If you’d like to see your name listed on the new AmigaOS 3.1 wall, grab a Lifetime Subscription (if you don’t already have one) and toss me an email. I update the walls about once each week with new names.

The last few Lifetime Walls filled up incredibly quickly. So if the Amiga Wall interests you, I wouldn’t wait too long. Hint, hint.

March 2026 Stats

The big news: Total “views” were way, way up in March.

A fair bit beyond what was anticipated. A hair over 19 million during the month.

 

That’s in total, across all platforms. As usual, the audio podcast and X lead the way in terms of total views/listens for shows (by quite a lot).

Interestingly, we saw significant “views” growth on even the smallest platforms in March (Facebook and TikTok).

Free subscribers also took a major jump in March, with the largest one month gains ever (I’m pretty sure, certainly the largest this year or last). Up 7,623 over the month before.

 

Again, new subscribers grew across the board. The biggest gains were seen on X, but all platforms saw a significant bump.

Hard to complain about that!

The top 3 shows for March were all focused on the Age Verification laws:

While those were the top 3… it’s worth noting that the top 10 (and, really, the top 15 or so) shows for the month were all incredibly close in terms of viewership numbers.

As always, a huge thank you to all of The Lunduke Journal subscribers. You make all of this possible.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
Lifetime Wall Number 6, Plus How to Access MP4s & Forum

A few quick reminders for all of you amazing Lunduke Journal subscribers:

First: If you have any kind of payed subscription (Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime) there are a bunch of cool perks available to you. MP4 Downloads, PDF eBooks, and access to the Lunduke Journal Forum. All the details on how to gain access to everything is right here.

Enjoy.

Second: At the end of this next week I’ll be unveiling “Lifetime Subscriber Wall of Shame” number Six at the end of all new Lunduke Journal videos.

 

At that same time I will be updating and permanently locking down Walls 1 through 5.

If you are already a Lifetime Subscriber, and would like to be added to the new Wall number 6 (or to one of the couple remaining spots on Walls 4 and 5), email me (bryan at lunduke.com) with how you would like your name to be displayed (full name, first name only, nick name… any way you like).

  1. CRT Linux Pico Wall: Full

  2. DOS Word Wall: Full

  3. Win 3.11 Notepad Wall: Full

  4. MacOS 9 Wall: 2 Spots Left

  5. PalmOS Wall: 1 Spot Left

  6. Mystery Wall: Open

Those final spots on the MacOS and PalmOS Walls are first come first served. The first people to request those spots get them.

Everyone else will roll over into Wall 6. Which is a secret, retro computer platform. You’ll dig it.

If you have already contacted me regarding being added to one of these walls (or changing the way your name is displayed), I’ve already got you on the list for the changes later this next week.

If you don’t already have a Lifetime Subscription, grab one and get yourself on the wall.

It’s pretty sweet.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals