I've been out of the Linux game for a while, and I'm curious about the new KDE Linux distro. I noticed that although it's based on Arch, it doesn't include Pacman, and updates seem to be managed more centrally. I used to rely heavily on package managers like Pacman and the AUR for installing software, so I'm a bit confused. Can someone explain in simple terms how to install applications on this distro without using Pacman or the typical repositories? Will I need to build everything from source?
4 Answers
This is an immutable OS, which means updates are minimal and mostly for Flatpak apps. Immutable distros are gaining popularity, especially among gamers who want stability! Just keep in mind that it may not cater to every tech-savvy user's needs.
I prefer mutable distros myself. I like having more control over my installations and updates!
If you're feeling adventurous, you could always install your own package manager. Some users do that to get familiar functionalities back, even on a distro that doesn't start with one by default!
For examples of how an immutable system works, check out OpenSuse Aeon or Fedora Silverblue. They have similar approaches and might shed some light on your concerns!
You might want to look into using Flatpaks or AppImages. They're pretty popular for installing applications without needing a traditional package manager. They contain everything you need, so they work across different distros too!
That’s interesting! I guess some people just want a system that works out of the box without too much fuss. I'm curious to see how it goes for you!