Flatpak support
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I know this is an old thread. The Steam Deck is releasing soon with its immutable OS, and Vivaldi isn't available as a flatpak. I've been looking at switching to Fedora Silverblue, which is also immutable, and held back by the fact that Vivaldi can't be used.
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SteamOS runs on Arch which has one of the broader repos aviable due to the aur, which I would 100 times use over any flatpak, so you don't really have a point on the SteamDeck. Flatpaks are used as a garbage idea, they should never be the used as a main distribution channel, that's like the cancer that docker is for server but for desktops.
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@ruarí Agreed, however there is a use for flatpaks and snaps (I am more leaned to flatpaks since snaps are even more of a mess).
The use is for Linux systems that do not use glibc, since your software is proprietary there is absolutely no way to recompile the browser for musl (for example) for us end users, and unless you release musl binaries (which I find even more doubtful but a good wish nonetheless) we have to use different compatibility layers, one of this could be flatpak, however there is not flatpak, nor even a snap package.
I was a long time user of vivaldi, but since I changed to a musl based distro I haven't been able to use it at all, so there is a loss here if your team does care. Sad part it is not a loss only for you but I really considered this the best browser too.
As a suggestion I would say lets open source the code which would fix all your issues with packaging on the long run probably, but if you are unwilling to do that at least package it for flatpak.
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@deferen https://github.com/thorhop/com.vivaldi.Vivaldi - There is even a community effort already sadly not working and outdated.
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@deferen said in support for flatpak:
SteamOS runs on Arch which has one of the broader repos aviable due to the aur, which I would 100 times use over any flatpak, so you don't really have a point on the SteamDeck. Flatpaks are used as a garbage idea, they should never be the used as a main distribution channel, that's like the cancer that docker is for server but for desktops.
It is based on Arch, but my understanding is that it is going to be immutable, so the AUR is off the table. They are intending for users to install everything as flatpak.
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@bartley said in support for flatpak:
It is based on Arch, but my understanding is that it is going to be immutable, so the AUR is off the table. They are intending for users to install everything as flatpak.
Wrong information you got there.
By default the OS updates will be distributed as a whole OS image, but you can enter a developer mode which will let you modify the file system and install packages like a normal distribution.
https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq
So, you will be able to install Vivaldi just fine from the Arch repo and using the AUR for other software as well.
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@npro said in support for flatpak:
@bartley said in support for flatpak:
It is based on Arch, but my understanding is that it is going to be immutable, so the AUR is off the table. They are intending for users to install everything as flatpak.
Wrong information you got there.
By default the OS updates will be distributed as a whole OS image, but you can enter a developer mode which will let you modify the file system and install packages like a normal distribution.
https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq
So, you will be able to install Vivaldi just fine from the Arch repo and using the AUR for other software as well.
Wow I had no idea. Looks like I didn't do my homework. Thank you for the information.
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@npro said in support for flatpak:
@bartley said in support for flatpak:
It is based on Arch, but my understanding is that it is going to be immutable, so the AUR is off the table. They are intending for users to install everything as flatpak.
Wrong information you got there.
By default the OS updates will be distributed as a whole OS image, but you can enter a developer mode which will let you modify the file system and install packages like a normal distribution.
https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/faq
So, you will be able to install Vivaldi just fine from the Arch repo and using the AUR for other software as well.
I would like to set the record straight on this, as it isn't really a useful solution on SteamOS. Yes, you can run a command to make the system partition writable, but there are severe limitations. The first is that the system partition is very small, it is just about big enough to contain the files that are prei-ncluded on it. The second problem is that, even you manage to squeeze some packages in there, the system partition is wiped every OS update (in fact, it switches between an A and B partition, Android style). This renders using pacman completely impractical on SteamOS, and by extension, means Vivaldi is effectively unobtainable by proper means unless a flatpak version is created.
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@mehstrongbadmeh Once SteamOS 3.0 gets out for the public we will see. So far the same generic talk coming from casual Linux youtubers with very limited Linux skills is just circulating around.
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@npro said in support for flatpak:
@mehstrongbadmeh Once SteamOS 3.0 gets out for the public we will see. So far the same generic talk coming from casual Linux youtubers with very limited Linux skills is just circulating around.
I have had a Stream Deck for several months now. This state of affairs is not hearsay, it is my direct experience developing for the platform. They, infact, specifically shrunk the system partitions to save space (for the benefit of the 64gb model). Also, SteamOS 3.0 is now available to the public on the handful of Steam Deck's that have been shipped for public users.
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@mehstrongbadmeh said in support for flatpak:
I have had a Stream Deck
I assume it's some parallel project?
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I would like to ask for official support for the steam deck and other immutable file systems. I plan to replace my desktop with a steam deck, and I'm sure I and many others will be looking for Vivaldi to use on the steam deck. However, I am unable to find a proper way to get it onto the deck, with the only methods currently being messing with the OS(not feasable with valve push out updates so frequently), and downloading it off of github using a community package(which is something I and other noobs are leery about). Now, I'm not familiar with all that would take, however, valve has sold at least a couple million, not counting those using other, similar OS's, so by my estimate it would likely be worth it from a business prospective. Any work that you do that pushes in that direction would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
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@soldieratarms There already exist versions for Linux on ARM-based systems, I'm not sure what else is required here.
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@sgunhouse from what I can parse out, it's not so much an issue with hardware comparability, as it is an issue with how Steam OS handles programs. Normal programs are generally housed directly within the OS, however Valve has set it up so all modifications to the OS(such as programs) are overridden for every update, so they don't break anything in the process(can attest, it does happen on Linux). There are ways around this, but they require some form of formating work. You can find more accurate details looking at flatpak here on the forum, as I know that's a popular method of getting around these types of barriers.
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Just as an add-on to my original post, I'd like to also like to see some form of controller support as well, even a rudimentary form of snapping to different areas, scroll support, etc. I kinda expect this to be much harder, with less gain, but I'd still be cool to see.
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Hello, @soldieratarms
Steam Deck is a project that interests me a lot on a personal level, however, redirecting energies and resources to a platform development is always complicated, because there are higher priorities.
However, Steam Deck is made with Linux-ARM, so considering that this development already exists, it should not be so difficult. I will forward this question to the relevant developers. I'll update here with what they answer.
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@realmat0s awesome to hear that! I hope it doesn't provide any difficulties for y'all, and thank you.
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Just to be clear, the Steam Deck is Linux x86_64, not ARM. Releasing Vivaldi as a flatpak would be required to make it compatible with Steam Deck (and any future SteamOS devices).
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Hello
@soldieratarmsI make an update. So as you indicate above, Ryzen CPU Linux x86, so it's up to Steam to make it compatible with Vivaldi. More than on ourselves - The software is already done.
Anyway, it goes without saying that if you install Windows or Linux on your SteamOS you can easily use Vivaldi.
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Now that Steam Decks have been shipping for a while, and more info about SteamOS 3 has come out, I wanted to restart the flatpak conversation.
When using the deck, everything installed from the AUR will be wiped after every OS update. Only flatpak software will persist.
Microsoft even has an official guide for getting x-box cloud working on the deck that includes installing edge via flatpak.
SteamOS 3 is poised to be the predominant Linux gaming distro when it is (easily) installable on non deck hardware. Additionally, more and more distros are moving towards immutable OS structures. ClearOS (intel), Fedora Silverblue, SteamOs, and more.
Discounting immutable OS and the deck for a second, many distros are moving towards shipping default packages as flatpaks. Pop-os, Mint, Fedora, CentOS, Elementary, etc... Many huge programs have embraced Flatpak recently, OBS just being the latest example.
Please consider shipping an official flatpak version and including it on the downloads page.
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