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Snap apps do not work?

sylvio2000

Wed Aug 14, 2019 7:03:54 am

Hi.
Yesterday I tested ZorinOS15 in Virtualbox (LinuxMint as the Host). I installed it on the virtual harddisk and installed some apps. I installed Jdownloader, mkvtoolnix-jz and chromium from the Software-Center as snap apps. None of these apps created a shortcut in the home menu. Then I tried to start them from the terminal and only chromium worked.

1. Is it normal that there are so many snap apps in ZorinOS?
2. Should those snap apps create a shortcut in the home menu?
3. Does it not work because I was using a virtual machine?

I really would like to install it on real hardware, but I dont know if there are the same problems as in Virtuabox. :(

Swarfendor437

Wed Aug 14, 2019 11:43:22 am

Hi, I've found a couple of posts about Snap not running as it should on Ubuntu 18.04 on which Zorin is based. Mint is loosely based on Debian so there's a difference there to begin with.

https://github.com/klaussinani/tusk/issues/171

https://github.com/bitwarden/desktop/issues/89

https://forum.shotcut.org/t/solved-sort ... snaps/5478

https://superuser.com/questions/1318722 ... n-the-dash

and even issues in 19.04:

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1143436 ... ot-working

I have used Snap on Feren OS which is a hybrid of Mint and Debian. The only issue I have had on that OS is failure of app to launch.

New ideas may seem good to start with but my preferred method is Synaptic Package Manager which 'just works'. My take on it is "Snap is trying to be all things to all Operating Systems". In view of Microshafts patent entrapment in GNU/Linux I think I will stay well clear of any software manager that is not solely aimed at GNU/Linux. :)

sylvio2000

Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:53:13 pm

I just used the official app store from ZorinOS. There is only one entry for (e.g.) Jdownloader and that is a snap app. Does anybody out there can try to install this version of Jdownloader for me? :D

Aravisian

Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:22:43 am

For kicks and grins, I tested this earlier using VM and Zorin 15 and Zorin 12.4. I had no problems with 12.4 at all (Although I do notice that ctrl+alt+t does not pull up terminal in VM nor in "Try Zorin" Live CD). Zorin 15 was quite different; Many Snaps did not work.

Above Swarfendor suggested that Bionic Beaver (Ubuntu 18.04) has the flaw. I think he's probably right...
If that is the case, then would installing Zorin 15 still present the same problem? It sounds like it might.
I first discovered Zorin through 12.4 version and when 15 came out, I decided to stick with 12.4- I usually do such things, though as I wait for the bugs to get exterminated. I do the same with games, OS's and the like...

sylvio2000

Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:01:23 am

I just wanted to ask if something has changed. Do snap apps work now and do they create menu shortcuts?

Swarfendor437

Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:47:49 am

I don't know - have you visited the snap site recently? I prefer the tried and trusted Synaptic Package Manager - it's more versatile and has more to offer than anything else - it may look and feel cumbersome but you need to get a grip on it. Perhaps my next project will be a 'manual' for Synaptic but I suspect the official project has that covered.

Well, no need to reinvent what is already a good guide out there:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticHowto

sylvio2000

Mon Sep 23, 2019 5:19:09 pm

I think you misunderstood me. I dont mean the snap site. I am just using the app store to install snap apps. And that is the problem ;)

Swarfendor437

Mon Sep 23, 2019 8:38:00 pm

Perhaps a purge is needed and use of the CLI (Command Line Interface) for it to work correctly! ;)

https://codeburst.io/how-to-install-and ... cb6e3b34f9

sylvio2000

Tue Sep 24, 2019 8:28:33 am

Mmh. I think I will wait for ZorinOS 15.1 and try it again. Maybe it is fixed then