During Akademy 2024, the project that loves the K so much talked to us for the first time about KDE Linux. We are not going to talk much about this future distribution in this article, but we will use it as a reference. The fact is that it is a future immutable option, and, like SteamOS, it will rely primarily on flatpak packages. Fedora has had atomic options for a long time, Manjaro is already working on it and Canonical flirts with the idea. But, I think, it is something that if it is born, it will be dead.
It hasn't been talked about much, but the Canonical team is working on something they're calling Ubuntu Core Desktop. It's Ubuntu, but based on Snaps. In other words, what Canonical considers an immutable distribution. If we've included KDE Linux in this article it's because I think "the K team" is going in a more correct direction. Initially, the software will be obtained from Flathub, but they don't rule out the adoption of snap packages. On the other hand, Canonical already warns that its Ubuntu Core Desktop It's a good option… if snaps are enough for you.
Canonical will offer a somewhat lame immutable distro
To test Ubuntu Core Desktop or its future variant KDE neon core, it is best to perform a native installation. It has an application named Workshops, which can remind us of Distrobox, with all due respect. It is the main weapon for Ubuntu Core Desktop to be useful, but it is not the best option for most users. Workshops will allow us, for example, to install an Ubuntu image and software from its official repositories. The bad thing is that none of this is as straightforward as doing it from a software store.
When you buy a Steam Deck, for example, and the same will be for that KDE Linux that they are developing, when you want to install a program you just have to go to Discover, search for it and install it. This way we can install, I don't know, Kodi, VLC, Chrome, Kdenlive... Although there is software that is also on Snapcraft, some are not even updated on time, as is the case of AudacityFlathub offers more options, which is why it is the choice of all immutable distributions not owned by Canonical.
And just in case Flatub is not enough, KDE Linux will also consider implementing support for snap packages. Basically, the idea is to offer possibilities, but that is not something that seems to matter to Canonical. Mark Shuttleworth and company want to get into the world of immutable systems, but they cannot bet on the use of competing packages. So it would offer something a bit lame.
KDE Linux: Immutability as it should be
KDE Linux It is still in development, but it is a promising project. Behind it is KDE, responsible for Kubuntu, KDE neon and software like Kdenlive. What is strange, or not, is that they will use the Arch Linux base. They have not explained why, but the reason may have to do with continuous updates and flexibility. What is striking is that, in a way, they have turned their back on Ubuntu, a system that they already use in neon.
KDE Linux will be an immutable system, difficult to break or easy to recover in case of a break. Atomic updates, flatpaks and snaps, and offering Distrobox. With all these possibilities, the only thing missing is that it not be read-only to be a traditional distribution, but what would be the point?
The point is that an immutable system does not have to be something with limitations imposedIt should be unbreakable, but we need to find ways to do everything without breaking that immutability. KDE has understood well what an immutable system should be like, something that Canonical will always turn a deaf ear to. What average user is going to want to use a robust system that doesn't allow them, at least, to enjoy a full user level? And what low-medium user is going to know how to install other options in containers?
For all these reasons, I believe that either Canonical's proposal changes a lot or when they release a stable version nobody will want it.