I've been using Ubuntu for a week now, and while I'm generally enjoying it, I'm running into some frustrating issues regarding program installation and uninstallation. First off, why do most developers neglect to provide uninstall scripts when they release applications? I recently tried out opencode by running a bash script to install it, but now I can't figure out how to uninstall it because it doesn't show up in Flatpak or Snap. I had to manually delete a bunch of files from different system folders, which felt as tedious as removing bloatware from Windows. Secondly, is there a software solution similar to the Windows "Add/Remove Programs" tool that would make managing software on Linux easier? Lastly, I've heard some people say that using Ubuntu makes me a 'basic user.' Is that really the case? I find it comfortable and it allows me to avoid several issues I frequently encountered with Windows, like formatting problems when coding. Should I care what others think about my distro choice?
4 Answers
Don't worry about what others think! If Ubuntu suits your needs, then it's the right choice for you. Everyone has their preferences in the Linux community, and it’s not worth dwelling on the opinions of gatekeepers. Use what you’re comfortable with and learn at your own pace!
As for your root issue, if the commands `apt purge opencode` didn't work, it might be because you need the exact package name. You can find it by checking the `.deb` file or the installation script itself. There’s a risk with untrusted scripts because they can install software any way they like, so be cautious going forward!
Good advice. I’ll be more careful from now on!
For your second question, yes! There are GUI tools like GNOME Software that can help you manage installed software just like the Windows 'Add/Remove Programs'. This way, you won't have to deal with the terminal unless you want to.
I didn't know there were GUI options! I’ll check it out.
Most Linux distros encourage using package managers like apt instead of scripts for installing software. If you installed open code via a bash script, it won’t show up in Flatpak or Snap because those use different systems. The typical way to uninstall the program would be using `sudo apt remove packagename`, but that won’t work if you didn’t install it through apt. That said, always check installation scripts carefully; the package manager used should be mentioned in them.
Yeah, and if you're struggling, there are usually guides available on how to use these commands!
Thanks! That makes me feel better about my choice.