I recently took up Bazzite from mint and I love it! After using it for a few days I found out it was an immutable distro, after looking into what that is I thought it was a great idea. I love the idea of getting a fresh image for every update, I think for businesses/ less tech savvy people it adds another layer of protection from self harm because you can’t mess with the root without extra steps.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with immutable distros I attached a picture of mutable vs immutable, I don’t want to describe it because I am still learning.

My question is: what does the community think of it?

Do the downsides outweigh the benefits or vice versa?

Could this help Linux reach more mainstream audiences?

Any other input would be appreciated!

  • oaklandnative@lemmy.world
    7·
    1 day ago

    I’m using Bluefin and overall it’s great. However, there are some unique issues due to immutability and flatpak.

    1. It’s more difficult to utilize a NAS. For example, on something like Mint, I can open Proton Drive on Firefox, and I can use FF to upload files from my NAS to PD.

    On Bluefin, I can access my NAS and all files using the Files app, but not using FF, and I cannot accomplish the above task in the same way. Firefox cannot fully access my NAS, and I have not figured out how to make it work. I’ve played around with Flatseal, but no dice. Instead, I need to use Files to download the files from my NAS to a local folder, and then I can use Firefox to upload to PD from that local folder. I’m guessing there is a better way, but I haven’t figured it out yet.

    EDIT: This thread motivated me to try and fix this issue. Installing Firefox using rpm-ostree worked. I expected it would, though I am still hoping to figure this out using the Flatpak version at some point. I also tried using Distrobox/Box Buddy to create a Fedora 40 box and install Firefox there. That version of Firefox couldn’t even see my NAS at all (unlike the Flatpak which could see my NAS but couldn’t upload files from the NAS to Proton). This was my first time ever using Distrobox. I thought it was super cool to see it in action and get a working Firefox, even though I couldn’t use it to access my NAS as hoped.

    1. I would desperately like to use a screenshot tool with built-in annotations, but I haven’t found a flatpak that works. As I understand, it might have something to do with flatpak combined with Wayland and/or my Nvidia GPU.

    So while most things “just work,” there are some problems. Planning to stick with it and keep learning. I do love the concept and I’m overall very happy with everything.

    • ivn@jlai.luEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      These seems to be related to flatpak, not immutability.

    • asap@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      I use Proton Drive on Librewolf on Bluefin without issues, so that seems a little odd. It might be an issue with what access you’ve given the fkatpak. Flatseal is the right place to look.

      • oaklandnative@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 days ago

        Are you using librewolf to upload files from your NAS to Proton Drive?

        I readily admit I am still not super proficient with flatseal. I spent a lot of time trying to fix this by adjusting the file permissions, but I’m now wondering if it was some other local network setting I missed.

        I also don’t use fstab to mount my NAS. I just sign in using Files which creates a smb link. On Firefox/proton drive website I can see the files but I cannot upload them directly to Proton Drive from my NAS using Firefox (or Zen) on bluefin.

        • asap@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          2 days ago

          In the Filesystem section for that app in Flatseal, you need to add the path to your NAS drive (the same SMB path that it’s mounted in the Files app). That will give your FF flatpak access to that location.

          • oaklandnative@lemmy.world
            1·
            1 day ago

            Thanks. I tried that using:

            smb://[NAS NAME].local/[FOLDER NAME]/

            I copied that path straight out of the Files app. Unfortunately it does not work. There is a yellow exclamation point flag next to it that says “This is not a valid option.”

            I ended up installing the rpm-ostree version of Firefox, which accesses my Nas just fine for proton drive uploads. I do hope to eventually figure out how to do this with flatpak/flatseal, but this works for now at least. I appreciate the help!

    • Kroxx@lemm.eeOP
      41·
      2 days ago

      For #1 could you use distrobox to run it with another OS? I’m pretty new to all this so I could be way out in left field lol.

      • oaklandnative@lemmy.world
        2·
        1 day ago

        I added this edit above. Pasting here in case you are curious. Cheers.

        EDIT: This thread motivated me to try and fix this issue. Installing Firefox using rpm-ostree worked. I expected it would, though I am still hoping to figure this out using the Flatpak version at some point. I also tried using Distrobox/Box Buddy to create a Fedora 40 box and install Firefox there. That version of Firefox couldn’t even see my NAS at all (unlike the Flatpak which could see my NAS but couldn’t upload files from the NAS to Proton). This was my first time ever using Distrobox. I thought it was super cool to see it in action and get a working Firefox, even though I couldn’t use it to access my NAS as hoped.

      • oaklandnative@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 days ago

        I haven’t tried any distobox stuff yet but I’m very curious. I will at some point.

        Whoever downvoted this is lame. I appreciate your question.