Question about Linux app

[dunhill]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why do a lot of people with Linux make installing calibre so difficult?

Because there are many Linux distributions.
Bazzite is a gamer distribution that comes with Steam pre-installed, but they don't know that Linux Mint also has it.

[Mr_H_Poirot]

I'm a user of Linux Mint but am not knowledgeable about anything technical. I have found that with some software you can add a PPA repository and it then auto updates to the latest stable release. I do this with libre office. I think Firefox auto updates for me too.

I don't really understand why some software has this PPA thing and others don't. But since nearly all the software is open source and free (with an option to donate), I'm pretty happy to do whatever is easiest for the author.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why do a lot of people with Linux make installing calibre so difficult?

They don't. That's your perception as a Windows user.

Windows in ancient times had multiple install methods and still has several. There was DLL hell. Programs that expected Windows to be installed on C:\Windows (on NT since 1993 it could be on any drive/partition and directory). Windows installers that expect the User directories to be on C: (they can be edited in registry to be on any drive).

[DNSB]

For me, the major issue I have is that if I install Windows or MacOS, the install includes a set of programs/services/packages out of the box. When I install a Linux distro, what gets installed depends on the creator of the distro. What the creator decides is important enough to install varies widely and often I've found myself jumping through whatever hoops the OS requires to install various bits and pieces. This included appimages & flatpaks for the couple of times I've played with an immutable distro.

Oddly, I found myself liking the immutable distros other than the amount of disk space chewed up when I had multiple OS images (~5GB per image for Fedora's Silverblue for instance) since I use virtual machines and I tend to create those with rather limited storage.

[shuvashish76]

https://www.reddit.com/r/AppImage/co...tigates_whats/ from the unofficial Calibre AppImage package maintainer.

[rjwse@aol.com]

but I'm curious why Calibre for Linux doesn't use an Appimage or Flatpak

I use calibre daily, extensively using ubuntu 22.04 and 25.10 and I really like calibre's method of installation. Quick, easy to do, never had a problem. My experience with debian, flatpak, snap, appimage is sad. The ubuntu app repository has only old versions of stuff. I do most writing with stenotype Plover 22 key keyboard which is appimage unless you actually download the plover program directly into the keyboard itself with Javelin. The appimages are not without their problems. Exactly what? I'm not sure because I'm not a programmer. I have often wondered why other apps do not use calibre's method of updating. Nothing is more simple than copy and paste into a terminal.

[Quoth]

Also if you don't use the terminal much, you can up arrow to the last update. The script has been the same for a long time?

[shuvashish76]

Originally Posted by rjwse@aol.com

I have often wondered why other apps do not use calibre's method of updating. Nothing is more simple than copy and paste into a terminal.

Not the best solution if you've to update each and every apps manually. The main intention of having package-manager/appstore is to get all apps in a centralized way with minimal intervention. Though Calibre's method is perfect for updating few apps that you use regularly.

Originally Posted by Quoth

The script has been the same for a long time?

IIRC I have been using the same command as alias for the last ~5years.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by shuvashish76

Not the best solution if you've to update each and every apps manually. The main intention of having package-manager/appstore is to get all apps in a centralized way with minimal intervention.

It's a great idea in theory, but it always falls flat on its face for users who don't want to settle for the (often long outdated) versions of software their distro's repositories are serving. Compiling things yourself can sometime come to the rescue, but that comes with its own hurdles when the dependencies for said project cannot be met by the packages in the distro's repo. Or worse... they can provide those packages, but simply don't. It spirals from there.

In some cases, the distros are perfectly capable of building/providing the latest versions of certain programs (or their dependencies), but don't update in the name of "stability." But that defense doesn't actually hold up when the "stable" version of a piece of software turns out to be buggy, but the end user is stuck with that buggy version unless they want to update their OS.

Linux distro repositories are increasingly becoming places where popular pieces of software go to languish and die. Repositories that claim to be providing "stable" versions of software, are speaking code that basically translates to "old and stagnant."

Custom binary installers, AppImages and Flatpaks meet a real need that repo maintainers of popular Linux distros are increasingly not meeting.

Cross-platform developers who have to provide updated code that can still be built on Linux distros with the oldest dependencies (as well as staying compatible with the other platforms they support) means constantly living on the verge of obsolescence. When being able to look ahead would be better for everyone.

[Mr_H_Poirot]

I think the Libre Office repository updates fairly regularly to the latest stable release. Think Chrome does too although I don't use chrome

[Lavender]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

No, it is a third party package that is based on the official release I put out. calibre's Linux binary releases have existed long before AppImage and FlatHub and will exist long after whatever inadequate packaging solution the Linux world will come up with next.

Thanks for the info on the Flathub release.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why do a lot of people with Linux make installing calibre so difficult?

From my experience installing, and managing apps is much easier on Linux. The frustration for Calibre is having to go to the web to copy the terminal command when you need to update. Every other app on my system receives update prompts automatically by the package manager.

Originally Posted by rjwse@aol.com

...I really like calibre's method of installation. Quick, easy to do, never had a problem. My experience with debian, flatpak, snap, appimage is sad. The ubuntu app repository has only old versions of stuff...Nothing is more simple than copy and paste into a terminal.

The criticism of some package managers only offering old builds is a valid one. Depending on the app it can be more or less of an issue. Debian has its "stable" philosophy, but even for distros that want to offer current software it takes time for them to be packaged for their repo once the new app version is published from their individual projects. It all adds delay. It's my understanding that this is why Flatpak, and AppImage were both developed. The problem with how Calibre does things for me is having to manage the app installation myself instead of the system doing it for me. If every app was installed, and updated as Calibre does then using Linux would be a nightmare more akin to Windows.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Lavender

From my experience installing, and managing apps is much easier on Linux. The frustration for Calibre is having to go to the web to copy the terminal command when you need to update. Every other app on my system receives update prompts automatically by the package manager.

Would it not be a simple thing to just make a shell script to run when calibre needs updating?

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Would it not be a simple thing to just make a shell script to run when calibre needs updating?

It's a fair question. The install command hasn't changed in years and years. A script named calibre-update on your PATH would mean no more copy/pasting from a website.

[dunhill]

[QUOTE=Lavender;4572174]Thanks for the info on the Flathub release.



From my experience installing, and managing apps is much easier on Linux. The frustration for Calibre is having to go to the web to copy the terminal command when you need to update.




As I already explained, every command you run in a Linux terminal, each time you open a terminal, simply pressing the up arrow will display the commands you've used. I think that in your case, if you can't install the official Calibre distribution, it's due to limitations of your operating system.

[dunhill]

I felt like playing around a bit. Here's a Linux plugin I tested on a desktop installation. Here's what it does: When calibre notifies you of a new version in the calibre interface, you can click the plugin icon. This will tell you it's going to close calibre and open the Linux terminal so you can enter your password. It will download calibre from the official calibre link, and then a message will appear asking you to press Enter to continue. After that, you'll need to restart calibre, either from the desktop icon or by typing `calibre` in the terminal.

I've tested it and it works. If you find it useful, I'll add it to the plugins section.

For fixed installations only.
Not for portable installations, Flatpak, or AppImages.