Ubuntu 20.04 LTS’ snap obsession has snapped me off of it (jatan.blog)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's dissatisfaction with Ubuntu 20.04 LTS due to its emphasis on snap packages, which can lead to slower application startup times. This issue is exemplified by the slow startup of the gnome calculator, which takes over a second to start. The discussion in the comments reveals that this problem is not unique to the calculator and affects other snap packages as well. Some commenters have switched to alternative distributions, such as Devuan, due to these issues.

Main themes

• Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and snap packages
• Linux distribution choice
• Package management systems
• Performance and startup times
• Compression and disk space
• Desktop vs server systems

What commenters say

• The use of snap packages in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS can result in slower application startup times, which is a significant drawback for some users.
• Switching to a different Linux distribution, such as Fedora or Devuan, can be a viable solution for those dissatisfied with Ubuntu's direction.
• The compression used by snap packages can cause performance issues, but some argue that compression can be useful for saving disk space, especially for rarely used apps.
• On-demand decompression, as used by snap packages, may not be the best approach for desktop systems, but it can be beneficial in other contexts, such as server administration.
• Some users have not experienced significant performance issues with snap packages, and the startup time can be improved after the initial launch.
• The decision to use snap packages in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS has been criticized for prioritizing installation time over runtime performance.
• Alternative package management systems, such as flatpak, may offer better performance and user experience.
• The choice of Linux distribution ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs, and some users may find that Ubuntu's flaws are outweighed by its benefits.