Completely Uninstall 'FLATPAK' (Universal Packaging System?)
Please Help?
I seem to have done an admittedly silly thing (as a mostly naive user) and need assistance to 'Completely' remove the 'Universal Packaging System' called 'FLATPAK.' I have been almost entirely thrilled with Trisquel (especially the GNU aspect), so I should've left it alone, at least without first inquiring.
It's represented as being entirely 'sandboxed' from the OS, so I thought it would be safe to install on Trisquel 9.0, but that is very definitely not the final word on this matter. I have already asked for assistance in removal at https://discourse.flathub.org/, but the two responses were to both close one topic, and in the 2nd topic to deny any possibility that Flatpak could have caused any issue. In some fairness, it was suggested as well that I ask for assistance here (since nothing was forthcoming from 'them', which in afterthought, is likely where I should have started, long before ever installing Flatpak.
Immediately after installing Flatpak, and then Firefox (supposedly sandboxed from the OS), I noticed that 1. YouTube began to not complete its own links (within Trisquel's native 'Abrowser'), and 2. That the native 'Software Updater' in Trisquel would fail to locate available updates with the message "Failed to download repository information (Check your internet connection."), as well as causing the 'Settings' button (within Software Updater) to fail to be available...then after clicking OK, it would 'usually' show and install whatever updates were available, but still not allow access to the changes available from 'Settings'(such as Trisquel Software, Other Software, etc.)
Both issues were obviously unacceptable, and since there were no other changes in the interim, were clearly caused by Flatpak, Firefox (as installed by Flatpak), or both. In hindsight, unfortunately, I've since read that Flatpak is indeed not entirely/correctly sandboxed from affecting the OS.
After a fairly thorough search to "Completely Remove Flatpak", I finally decided to follow one answer at https://askubuntu.com/questions/1174596/how-to-completely-remove-flatpak, with the Terminal commands;
*flatpak uninstall --unused
sudo apt-get remove --autoremove flatpak
sudo apt-get purge flatpak*
This 'seems' to have solved some things (YouTube appears to be working correctly now, and the Settings button within Software Updater makes its contents available for change), however starting Software Updater still gives the same error message of "Failed to download repository information..." as noted above, there are still two instances of 'Launchpad' within Authentication Keys, and there are still numerous directories/files present in "/var/lib/flatpak." So the instructions I linked to did not entirely REMOVE Flatpak, even after restarting the machine. Yes, that 'answer' was for Ubuntu (not Trisquel), but I was doing my best not to ask for/require assistance. My error.
Apologies for the lengthy explanation, but since Flatpak clearly did cause these very negative effects, I don't want 'any' of it left whatsoever, if at all possible??? It would be fantastic, to have never heard of it. I don't know exactly how it caused the problems, but it was my mistake to even give it a go...without 'first' inquiring to those who are far more knowledgeable.
If anyone is able/willing to assist me, I would greatly appreciate it!
You can just remove /var/lib/flatpak, that should remove all traces of flatpak from your system. Also if you want you can remove ~/.var to get rid of your Firefox configuration files. However, I doubt this will solve your issue since flatpak is already uninstalled, and just having some residual files siting on the disk wouldn't cause problems like this.
I don't really think Flatpak causes issues with Abrowser either, but who knows? I should note that Flatpak has sandboxing capabilities but it depends on the packager of the application to sandbox it properly. I think most packages on Flathub aren't sandboxed adequately.
Anyway, If you can post the output of "sudo apt update" we could probably help fix your remaining issue. And by the way, Launchpad has nothing to do with Flatpak. You probably have it because you added a PPA.
@Legimet
Thank you for your reply. As advised;
1. I removed the flatpak directory/sub-directories from /var/lib.
2. I removed /.var
3. Results of Terminal "sudo apt update":
Hit:1 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona InRelease
Hit:2 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-security InRelease
Hit:3 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-updates InRelease
Ign:4 http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Hit:5 http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Hit:6 https://repo.steampowered.com/steam stable InRelease
Hit:7 http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Err:8 http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic Release
404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.95.85 80]
Reading package lists... Done
E: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic Release' does not have a Release file.
N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
I've noticed since posting that there is now only one instance in the repositories/authentications for Flatpak.
You may be entirely correct that Flatpak had nothing to do with breaking Abrowser (and you are in agreement with the respondent at the Flatpak Forum.) I only know enough, barely, to say that it was one heck of a timely coincidence.
Please note that I haven't restarted the machine yet as I write this, so by then, all may be well?
So it seems that the issue has to do with the appimagelauncher-team PPA. Apparently this PPA no longer supports Ubuntu 18.04 (bionic) so you should remove it.
@Legimet
From Software Updater > Settings > Authentication, I can select from "Trusted Software Providers" to be removed (with password), however nothing happens afterward. They are still present.
In this case, I've tried, but failed, to remove: "LaunchPad PPA for AppImage Launcher Maintainers ("-team" is not present in the list) and "LaunchPad PPA for Flatpak."
It appears that the 'Software Updater' app is not functioning correctly to delete Providers...so therefore still displays "Failed to download repository information," when activated?
And related or not (but highly coincidental to the Flatpak + Firefox install as mentioned before), Abrowser is still hanging on completing links (seemingly only from within YouTube.) Sometimes it will briefly display a "Check your internet connection" message before completing, or...if left alone for a minute or two, the 'frozen' links may eventually complete. Still other times, clicking a link does nothing at all, until the entire page is refreshed from the browser menu.
Should attempting to remove the two unwanted repositories be tried directly from the Terminal?
@Magic Banana
I've tried numerous iterations/alternatives from your linked page, most all of which say that "something" (package, etc.), can't be found. Perhaps I'm still entering something wrong?
Apologies that other than what was finally acknowledged in Terminal and pasted further below, I couldn't find/understand any place on that page where it detailed 'exactly' how the name of the package should be entered, as in Ex: put "XXX" within quotes.
Of note perhaps, though there are two unwanted repositories still listed within 'Software Updater', they do not show up as suggested elsewhere on that same page you linked. For example, they do not appear at all at "/etc/apt/sources.list.d"
The closest I seem to have gotten with any command (for Terminal to acknowledge their existence) is:
sudo ppa-purge ppa:Launchpad PPA for AppImageLauncher Maintainers/ppa
[sudo] password for user:
Updating packages lists
E: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic Release' does not have a Release file.
Warning: apt-get update failed for some reason
and
sudo ppa-purge ppa:Launchpad PPA for Flatpak/ppa
Updating packages lists
E: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic Release' does not have a Release file.
Warning: apt-get update failed for some reason
Run the following commands:
cat /etc/apt/sources.list
ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d
@Legimet
Your requests are pasted below. I tried to take a screenshot .png of Software Updater's 'Authentication' tab but it would not save to Downloads. So attached is a .jpg from my phone that does show instances of both "AppImageLauncher Maintainers" and "Flatpak", as well as two others from "Steam Software"...all 4 that don't seem to appear anywhere else I've looked (rather...'learned' to look.)
Command:
cat /etc/apt/sources.list
Result:
cat /etc/apt/sources.list
# deb cdrom:[Trisquel 9.0 _etiona_ - Release amd64 (20201018)]/ etiona main
# Trisquel repositories for supported software and updates
deb http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel/ etiona main
deb http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel/ etiona-security main
deb http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel/ etiona-updates main
# deb http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel/ etiona-backports main
# deb-src http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel/ etiona-backports main
-----------------------------------------------------------
Command: ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d
Result:
ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d
appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list
appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save
flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list
flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save
linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list
linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list.save
steam.list
steam.list.save
Those commands, executed in a terminal, should do it:
$ sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:appimagelauncher-team/stable
$ sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:flatpak/stable
For your freedom, you should also remove Steam, whose main function is to impose DRM.
@Magic Banana
I did run the two Terminal commands you suggested (pasted below), which though they asked me to 'continue' (so seeemingly were going to complete some removal action,) actually did not do anything that I can tell...as Software Updater still "Failed to download repository information," and the two repositories in question, still show up in Settings 'Authentication.' I haven't yet used 'Abrowser' enough to know if/how any effect may be.
Otherwise, regarding moving 'Steam' for my "freedom", I'm *absolutely* fine with that as well, if I can first accomplish the 2 goals from the OP. In fact, later on I'd very much like to know exactly what one may/may not do, without compromising the integrity of the OS' original intent of containing NOTHING proprietary. I fully share a very similar 'mindset', yet like the vast majority of current/prospective users, have little ability/understanding of exactly how to accomplish that, in practical every day life. Neither for any Linux distro (including any 'GNU' versions,) or for the Android phone I also hope to modify with 'Lineage' firmware/etc. (for privacy sake) in a week or so.
Terminal Command:
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:appimagelauncher-team/stable
user@user-Acer-Aspire-V5-473P-5602:~$
Result:
[sudo] password for user:
Latest stable version of AppImageLauncher for all Ubuntu flavours.
AppImageLaucher is a helper program that makes it easier to organise and update AppImages on Linux. Learn more at https://github.com/TheAssassin/AppImageLauncher.
More info: https://launchpad.net/~appimagelauncher-team/+archive/ubuntu/stable
Press [ENTER] to continue or Ctrl-c to cancel removing it. (I chose "ENTER")
user@user-Acer-Aspire-V5-473P-5602:~$
And,
Command:
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:appimagelauncher-team/stable
Result:
[sudo] password for user:
Latest stable version of AppImageLauncher for all Ubuntu flavours.
AppImageLaucher is a helper program that makes it easier to organise and update AppImages on Linux. Learn more at https://github.com/TheAssassin/AppImageLauncher.
More info: https://launchpad.net/~appimagelauncher-team/+archive/ubuntu/stable
Press [ENTER] to continue or Ctrl-c to cancel removing it.
user@user-Acer-Aspire-V5-473P-5602:~$ sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:flatpak/stable
Latest stable versions of Flatpak.
Support policy
--------------
This PPA is provided as a convenience for Ubuntu users, with no guarantee of support. If you are an Ubuntu developer and would like to volunteer to maintain packages for this PPA, please contact us via .
Packages in this PPA are built for the LTS branches of Ubuntu, currently focal, bionic and xenial. The newest LTS branch is treated as the highest priority for updates.
Branches that have reached EOL for non-subscription-based updates are likely to stop receiving updates, or be removed from this PPA, when backports to those branches become too difficult.
Non-LTS branches such as groovy and hirsute are not currently supported by this PPA. If you are an Ubuntu developer and would like to volunteer to maintain packages for this PPA, please contact us via .
Source code for the packages used here
--------------------------------------
* https://github.com/flatpak/ppa-flatpak
* https://github.com/flatpak/ppa-flatpak-builder
* https://github.com/flatpak/ppa-xdg-desktop-portal
* https://github.com/flatpak/ppa-xdg-desktop-portal-gtk
These packages are built from the ppa/stable/focal, ppa/stable/bionic, ppa/stable/xenial branches.
Development versions of these packages
--------------------------------------
https://launchpad.net/~flatpak/+archive/ubuntu/development provides newer prereleases of Flatpak from its development branch.
More info: https://launchpad.net/~flatpak/+archive/ubuntu/stable
Press [ENTER] to continue or Ctrl-c to cancel removing it. (I chose "ENTER")
user@user-Acer-Aspire-V5-473P-5602:~$
What does 'sudo apt update' output now?
@Magic Banana
Please see below...
Command:
sudo apt update
Result:
[sudo] password for user:
Ign:1 http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Get:2 https://repo.steampowered.com/steam stable InRelease [2,861 B]
Get:3 https://repo.steampowered.com/steam stable/steam Sources [591 B]
Get:4 https://repo.steampowered.com/steam stable/steam i386 Packages [1,234 B]
Hit:5 http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Get:6 https://repo.steampowered.com/steam stable/steam amd64 Packages [1,061 B]
Hit:7 http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Err:8 http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic Release
404 Not Found [IP: 91.189.95.85 80]
Hit:9 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona InRelease
Hit:10 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-security InRelease
Hit:11 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-updates InRelease
Reading package lists... Done
E: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic Release' does not have a Release file.
N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
Try this:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list*
and run "sudo apt update" again
Also, let us see if the repository is defined somewhere else (possibly in /etc/apt/sources.list):
$ grep -r ppa /etc/apt/
@Magic Banana
I ran "grep (as shown below) both before and after the commands in your most previous post, in case there were any 'interim' effects.
Command:
grep -r ppa /etc/apt/
Result:
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/appimagelauncher-team/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list.save:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
Try the command that I posted earlier: https://trisquel.info/en/forum/completely-uninstall-flatpak-universal-packaging-system#comment-163213
@Legimet
Apologies, I thought I had done this already, but in any case have since gotten lost within how to read/respond to the thread.
So I've pasted your request again below.
Command:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list
Result:
[sudo] password for user:
rm: cannot remove '/etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list': No such file or directory
add-apt-repository -r has not done its job, for some reason. As Legimet suggested, do the work manually (copy-paste to avoid mistakes such as a disastrous supernumerary space before "*"):
$ sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list* /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list*
I added the removal of /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.*, because the related PPA is still there too, according to grep's output:
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
@ Magic Banana
I thought I could run "grep -r ppa /etc/apt/" again after "sudo apt update", then come back and edit my original post above, but "edit" disappears to stay available only for a while after posting, and I missed that window.
So, the second "grep -r ppa /etc/apt/" command is pasted below.
--------------------------
FYI, Software Updater does complete *without* an error message now, sot that's progress!
However, it does still list LaunchPad PPA's for "AppImageLauncher Maintainers" and "Launchpad" within Settings/Authentication/Trusted Software Providers, as well as two instances from "Valve Corporation" (which though you suggested removing...I don't actually know how to do, since the format is likely different than it is for PPA's?
Command:
grep -r ppa /etc/apt/
Result:
grep -r ppa /etc/apt/
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list.save:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/linrunner-ubuntu-tlp-bionic.list.save:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list:deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list:# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic main
"edit" disappears to stay available only for a while after posting, and I missed that window.
You cannot edit a post somebody replied to.
Result
You apparently still have /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list. You must have made a typo writing 'sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list*'. Typos using sudo can be dramatic (@andyprough: that is why I prefer 'sudo add-apt-repository -r' as a recommendation). In particular, here, it is extremely important to *not* have a space before "*"! The easiest way to copy-paste is to select the command line on this page and to middle click in a terminal emulator.
@Magic Banana
Thanks...no "edit" after a post has received a reply. Hopefully I 'have' that now...
Regarding typos, I don't 'think' I added a space/etc., but I certainly wouldn't swear to it. I've issued that command again below.
I do see that it is "extremely important" to not make *any* command errors. In a sense this is rather fascinating, as among the greatest majority of persons (in the general world), I'm most always exceedingly more precise.
Command:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list
Result:
[sudo] password for user:
Regarding typos, I don't 'think' I added a space/etc.
I do not think you did, otherwise you would have noticed the dramatic outcome I was referring to: the deletion of all your files (excluding directories) in the working directory (your home directory if you have not used 'cd' after launching the terminal). It was merely a warning.
Result
The command (rm, here) outputting nothing means it did the work, without any problem. So you indeed still had not removed /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list. Otherwise rm would have output:
rm: cannot remove '/etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list*': No such file or directory
@Magic Banana
Command:
sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list*
Result:
rm: cannot remove ' /etc/apt/sources.list.d/appimagelauncher-team-ubuntu-stable-bionic.list*': No such file or directory
Command:
sudo apt update
Result:
[sudo] password for user:
Hit:1 http://ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Hit:2 https://repo.steampowered.com/steam stable InRelease
Hit:3 http://ppa.launchpad.net/linrunner/tlp/ubuntu bionic InRelease
Hit:4 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona InRelease
Hit:5 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-security InRelease
Get:6 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-updates InRelease [6,752 B]
Get:7 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-updates/main amd64 Packages [2,683 kB]
Get:8 http://archive.trisquel.info/trisquel etiona-updates/main i386 Packages [2,666 kB]
Fetched 5,355 kB in 9s (626 kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
8 packages can be upgraded. Run 'apt list --upgradable' to see them.
Seems like it is resolved then. You're no longer getting an error.
@Legimet
Yes, at least for now it seems workable again. Aside from the privacy warning from @Magic Banana about the problems wiith 'Steam'/DRM that still exist from previous ignorance on my part, and Abrowser still doing it's cute (but unwanted) little 'backflips' (not present before installing Flatpak/Firefox), I'm back to 'wherever' I am now.
Thanks so very kindly for everyone's assistance!!!
Lesson VERY well learned. If/when I ever reinstall another instance, I'll know better than to look askance. Ever.
Just cd to /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ and 'sudo rm' whatever file is in there that you are wanting to get rid of.
cd /etc/apt/sources.list.d/
sudo rm [name-of-some-unwanted-file]
Easy! You are making this all much harder than it needs to be.
@andyprough
You're exactly correct Andy. If I had a clue what I were doing, I wouldn't get lost so easily and repeatedly.
I once had an avid sailor tell me that no motor/engine should be needed to maneuver any sailboat in tight quarters (as before mechanical engines existed)...and if I hadn't been a rank novice, that would've been sublimely perfect advice. Both concisely accurate, and fairly self-evident.
I don't sail anymore. And quite frustratingly, it's my understanding that a great many end-users (in casual overwhelm), likewise abandon Linux distros (et al.) because, for whatever reason, they'll never be able to begin life again at whatever 'X' age/ability (to learn such obtuse/PRECISE commands) from scratch. It's not just humbling, but utterly humiliating, to come up against the hard limits of one's own cognitive or physical abilities. I guess though there must still be, for now, an indomitable few, for which there never are (nor will be) any such limits.
It's hard to meaningfully express how intensely I lament being one of the many billions of mere users/lemmings, going over the cliff of utter and irreversible transparency (to whatever 'powers' may choose to take a look at or exert authority over.) But given the immensely daunting task of that prevention, I'll no doubt be among the first eaten...just as surely, in time, they'll work their way up the pyramid thru supreme 'mastery.'
In numbers, the echo of respondents from the 'repository of knowledge' is already quite weak and few, but someone will be left to turn out the lights. As is supposed in any case. I doubt it will matter much by then.
I got into this current mess, simply because I was unable to even 'reasonably' discern what was/was not 'safely' (as the lowest of criteria) added/changed on GNULinux (without permanently compromising its most basic security/privacy mandates), and then not knowing (and couldn't learn) how to get back from under those numerous issues, as 'self-created'.
Thankfully, there has been some VERY kind help, to at least be partially extricated from the deepest mud. Yet I know such generous patience must necessarily be limited, and is not to be casually depended upon, for whatever problems I WILL find myself in the future. That 'job' is entirely too large, and unrelenting.
*Please* understand that I am 'not' negatively remarking upon your entirely fair and innocuous statement? It was just such a cohesively unhappy given, that I was indeed making this "harder" than it needs to be. Believe me, I am beyond supremely pleased that anyone finds this so "easy." 'Anyone'...at all...
I realize that nothing I could say, as such lemming, could ever hold any measure of legitimate take-away message for facile users/developers. So instead I offer a simple search result, coming from people whom, I would think, do hold adequate presence. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=torvalds+why+linux+will+never+become+mainstream
The world wasn't/shouldn't have turned out this way? Though apparently, evolution actually has bifurcated any number of times previously. But I don't think it's a good harbinger for any decent form of life to ever expand beyond this...immeasurably tiny bubble, of Earth.
Thank you so much for your astute observation. You said so much to me with crystal clarity, in just that one, pinpoint, notice.
I completely agree with you actually. For a distro like Trisquel (aimed for a broader audience) the command line should be unnecessary for average (non-technical) users. Most people are not interested in learning how to use the command line. While Trisquel is one of the more usable distros, it's still rough around the edges as your experience shows.
I agree too. Even when the same can be achieved though a graphical application (what is usually the case: I do not understand why Earthling could not remove the repositories from "Software & Updates"), people technically helping tend to give commands to enter in a terminal because it is far easier to write "Execute that: " than to list buttons/menus/whatnot to click on in a graphical application, which is localized, which frequently changes from one version to the next one, which may be different from a desktop environment to another one, etc.
Both issues were obviously unacceptable, and since there were no other changes in the interim, were clearly caused by Flatpak,
I am pretty sure the failure "to download repository information" has nothing to do with Flatpak. Many Trisquel users have recently faced that problem. As far as I understand, "an outdated Certificate Authority collection (package ca-certificates) included an expired root certificate for LetsEncrypt, resulting in blocked access to repositories for new packages or updates", as https://trisquel.info/en/release-announcement-trisquel-901-etiona-security-update explains, and using HTTP instead of HTTPS allows to update. For instance, you can execute that command in a terminal:
$ sudo sed -i s/https/http/ /etc/apt/sources.list
@Magic Banana
Thank you as well for responding!
According to your advice, and the link you posted;
The result from Terminal is:
"sudo sed -i s/https/http/ /etc/apt/sources.list"
[sudo] password for user:
user@user-Acer-Aspire-V5-473P-5602:~$