MX Linux Forum

In MX-21 Beta 1 and 2 I installed Discover (called "plasma-discover") a KDE program that can be used to install and upgrade programs. However, it sounds like some people prefer Synaptic + apt-notifier (the way we do things in Xfce) combination.

I installed Discover in the Betas because it's only one program and it's closely integrated with Plasma being a KDE program, while Synaptic is a GTK program. It also has some a nice way to inspect which program gets upgraded and to select/deselect the updates.

I personally don't use either Synaptic or Discover, I mostly use apt in CLI, so I cannot really have an informed opinion about that, in my view I much rather prefer to offer a consistent KDE experience than a patchwork of Qt and GTK programs, but if users prefer Synaptic that's what I'm going to install. (I installed Muon in the last release, but it seemed from reports that it's not people's favorite).

In any case, I would like to decide between installing Discover by default, or installing Synaptic + apt-notifier. This is relevant only for default settings, user are still free to change the program selection on their computers, so think about this as: "what would you think a newbie should see on their computer?" rather than "what would you like to use?" type of question...

Thanks!
Adrian

I think both need to be installed. From a newbie standpoint, if they install widgets from the KDE Store and those widgets are upgraded, apt-notifier + Synaptic will not show the upgrade. I have seen this happen on Beta2.

Can that option be added to the poll? That is both.

If we add both Discover and apt-notifier, they will both check for updates and both with pop up "x updates available", that's not acceptable. I could have Discover + Synaptic but not together with apt-notifier and Discover + Synaptic kind of defeats the purpose...

OK. A user can add the one not defaulted too as you indicated.

Adrian wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 1:45 pm in my view I much rather prefer to offer a consistent KDE experience than a patchwork of Qt and GTK programs

This.
KDE is its own environment and more; also a collection of software and a Qt storefront. It should be kept as pure as possible.
I vote Discover.

Adrian wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 1:45 pmIn any case, I would like to decide between installing Discover by default, or installing Synaptic + apt-notifier. This is relevant only for default settings, user are still free to change the program selection on their computers, so think about this as: "what would you think a newbie should see on their computer?" rather than "what would you like to use?" type of question...

Since you put it that way...

I'll go along with your inclination to give the user the full KDE experience. So I voted for Discover, even though I've expressed a personal preference for synaptic and apt-notifier. If it wasn't so easy for us old codgers to revert back to the old setup I'd maybe think differently.

Adrian, I think you should edit the poll to say don't vote until you read the explanation. In my case, I would vote one way after just seeing the poll question and the other way after reading your post. Many people will just vote the poll and move on without reading.

Adrian wrote: Mon Sep 13, 2021 1:45 pm so think about this as: "what would you think a newbie should see on their computer?"

A newbie would be more comfortable with the graphical richness of Discover as opposed to the dryness of Synaptic.
Also, as you said, it's only one program.

I have used Discover on another computer which has KDE (it's actually running Fedora) and really didn't like it - it seems too commercial, rather like the Apple or Android app stores. I personally greatly favour the Synaptic and apt-notifier approach, and have only just been gettting used to the MX-PI for package installation or updates.

Voted discover. KDE synergy,newbie friendliness and mostly I like where they are trying to go with it.

Of course the first thing I dl'ed from it was synaptic...