Flatpak support

crossLain

No, this is not what I meant. Systems like Fedora Silverblue are different variants from the regular ones. They are by design immutable, that means you cannot change the underlying system - for example, every system installed with a certain version of Fedora Silverblue is identical. This is done for stability and security reasons.

That means, with an immutable system you cannot install software or packages using the regular way, like package managers (dnf, apt, yum, zypp, pacman...). You can do so only within containerized environments - flatpak, appimage, toolbox...

Therefore, people using immutable systems are limited in their choice by design. There is currently no straightforward way to install Vivaldi, so this is why I'd be so grateful to have at least a choice. If there were more choices available, I'd have nothing against it. At this point in time, my personal vote goes to Flatpak, since it best fits my use case.

*edit: grammar

XLN

Would it be possible for users to just make and maintain an unofficial flatpak themselves? Is there anything preventing it?

Stardust

@XLN said in Flatpak support:

Would it be possible for users to just make and maintain an unofficial flatpak themselves? Is there anything preventing it?

I personally wouldn't use an unofficial flatpak version..

luetage

@XLN I don’t believe there is. Vivaldi packages for certain Linux distributions already do appear to have outside maintainers.

XLN

I'm looking into packaging a flatpak myself. I managed to get it to install and open. The Proprietary Media thing that pops up on the first boot is not working though. Can anyone help with that?

luetage

@XLN Proprietary media support is installed on first run, that probably fails with flatpak ☛ https://help.vivaldi.com/desktop/media/html5-proprietary-media-on-linux/

LocutusOfBorg

@XLN said in Flatpak support:

Would it be possible for users to just make and maintain an unofficial flatpak themselves? Is there anything preventing it?

Sure why not have who knows how many different flatpaks for Vivaldi.

Pixol22

It is imperative that Vivaldi introduces an official Flatpak packaged version of Vivaldi so it can show up in any distribution's default software center. The current method of distributing individual packages for certain distributions is not ideal. Most repositories do not support proprietary software, but Flathub does. It's the best place to put Vivaldi.

XLN

@Pixol22 said in Flatpak support:

It is imperative that Vivaldi introduces an official Flatpak packaged version of Vivaldi so it can show up in any distribution's default software center. The current method of distributing individual packages for certain distributions is not ideal. Most repositories do not support proprietary software, but Flathub does. It's the best place to put Vivaldi.

Strongly agree.

Is there any particular reason why Vivaldi is not looking into this? I struggle to find a reason why they wouldn't package a Flatpak. It would make it easier for them to support linux and it would make it easier for linux (and steam deck) users to download Vivaldi anywhere.

It's not even about embracing a new technology because Flatpak is widely adopted now. Every other browser has a flatpak package so it's just about keeping up with them.

LocutusOfBorg

@XLN said in Flatpak support:

Strongly agree.
Is there any particular reason why Vivaldi is not looking into this? I struggle to find a reason why they wouldn't package a Flatpak. It would make it easier for them to support linux and it would make it easier for linux (and steam deck) users to download Vivaldi anywhere.
It's not even about embracing a new technology because Flatpak is widely adopted now. Every other browser has a flatpak package so it's just about keeping up with them.

EXACTLY this.

DoctorG

@XLN I think, If you know how to build a Flatpak, you should be able to analyse the installer scripts of rpm and deb packages and debug why your created Flatpak des not work.

If media support is not working after installing your Vivaldi Flatpak just spawn a script after postinstall which runs as root the update-ffmpeg script for example 1-2 hrs or shorter or until media codes were updated.

XLN

@DoctorG Unfortunately I'm not very experienced with Flatpaks (or any kind of package really).

This is the link to the repo. If you want you can contact me over there and we can look further into this and try to sort this out.

Any help from anyone is greatly appreciated. I don't know Flatpaks but if there's a small group of people looking into it we must be able to sort this out.

DoctorG

@XLN I have no time to invest into such project.
If i need a simple install is use this command: curl -sL https://vvld.in/inst-lnx | sh

Pixol22

A browser stores sensitive details such as passwords and payment information, so I would only use an officially packaged version of Vivaldi. A community managed package can fall out of support, and lag behind on updates. Vivaldi should implement this packaging format internally. Mozilla creates an official Flatpak for their own browser, as well as MSIX packaging for the Microsoft Store. Both of these alternative packaging methods benefit users with sandboxing, simplicity of installation, and security. They also come with their own auto updating benefits, and allow the developer to rapidly deploy updates to numerous Linux distributions, without extra effort.

XLN

@DoctorG said in Flatpak support:

@XLN I have no time to invest into such project.
If i need a simple install is use this command: curl -sL https://vvld.in/inst-lnx | sh

Sidenote: this script doesn't work for me on silverblue. It says that the downloaded data is corrupt. Does anyone know why?

pineapplehugs

Another steam deck user here. Just discovered the browser. The install script is very cool, but only works in desktop mode. Won’t launch as a non-steam game. I even tried the exe out of desperation, running through steam with proton. Also doesn’t launch.

Vivaldi is a very special product. I’d like to use it everywhere. I understand and even agree with sentiments regarding standards proliferation, but at this point I think it makes sense to just give in. Flatpak has sufficient momentum to last for the long haul, and is installable on those few distros where it isn’t installed by default. There are over a million steam deck users who’d probably appreciate having a highly customizable browser to use on their unique platform.

DoctorG

@pineapplehugs said in Flatpak support:

The install script is very cool, but only works in desktop mode.

Please report issue to Vivaldi bug tracker. Once that is done, share the bug number (beginning with VB-). Thanks for helping us making Vivaldi better.

Kshatria

i also use vivaldi, please add flatpack. i just can't change to another browser. all my extension and tabs, hundreds of them are all on vivaldi

DoctorG

125 pro votes are not much.
As i know, no Flatpak package will be created. Snap packages were planned, but the is no progress yet.

Hadden89

@Pixol22 I partially agree. Btw, if we talk about an unofficial community flatpak inside a distro repo there isn't too much to worry about. Also, more traction from the communities users may easier to have an official package which will replace the unofficial one.