Flatpak

Flatpak is a universal Linux package management system, that is more agnostic than the Linux distributions package management systems. Flatpak currently only works with a desk top environment, it is not for servers.
There are other universal package management systems available. One popular example is snap, however this is from Ubuntu and seems propriety in nature. (This was another reason why I moved away from Ubuntu as the snap packaging system seems to almost be forced on recent Ubuntu distributions, as well as other bloat wear. My perception anyway, Debian is certainly less bloated..)

The following are some basic flatpak commands:

• flatpak update to update the flatpak
• flatpak list to list install flatpaks
• flatpak search package to search the flatpak repository for for app named package
• flatpak uninstall --unused to remove unused flatpaks
• flatpak repair to repair flatpak system

Notes:

1. Flatpak seems to operate without sudo. Not sure if I had to setup so, or was just like that.
2. There are other method to install flatpaks, for diferent repositories, downloaded files and via web pages, I have not investigated this, to date flatpakhub seems to have had all the apps I needed.

This is a list of the main flatpak packages I am using on my Linux desktop (as of 2026 Jan). I only lists the actual packages and to related dependencies.

• Calibre, a cross-platform free and open-source suite of e-book software.
• Flatseal, Utility to check and modify permissions of Flatpak Apps.
  • I primarily use this to give access to flatpaks to access network drives.
• Vuescan, a priprity (paid) cross platform scanning application (document/film scanning equipment)
• XnView MP, image viewing and basic manipulation application. Cross platform propriety but free for personal use
• Shortwave, an online radio application
• Qalculate!, a calculation application
• CPU-X, is a computer system profiling and monitoring application
• Bugdom 2, a game that I used play with my young sons
• MComix, a comix bokk format reader
• FreeCAD, a 3D CAD program
• GIMP, A image manipulation application
• KeePassXC, a password manager
• KiCAD, an electronic schematic, and printed circuit board developmental CAD program
• Parabolic, a down loader application
• nomacs, an image viewer and basic manipulation application
• QOwnnotes, a markdown notes application that I use with my Nextcloud server

—