Flatpak Support

[cwmke]

Flatpak support would enable automatic updates, live updates, delta updates, and dependencies decoupling across different Linux distributions.

For some of the issues related to this I can point you towards this discussion. Element is a working electron app with a flathub repository here.

[rodrgz]

I sketched a manifest file named io.filen.Filen.yaml:

app-id: io.filen.Filen
runtime: org.freedesktop.Platform
runtime-version: '21.08'
sdk: org.freedesktop.Sdk
base: org.electronjs.Electron2.BaseApp
base-version: '21.08'
sdk-extensions:
  - org.freedesktop.Sdk.Extension.node14
command: filen
rename-icon: filen-desktop
copy-icon: true
separate-locales: false
finish-args:
  # Required due to being a GUI application
  - --socket=x11
  # Required to make sure x11 performance is achived on all platforms
  # At least that's what the legends tell. it might be worth experimenting
  # with dropping this permission.
  - --share=ipc
  # Required for experimental wayland support
  - --socket=wayland
  # As a chat application, networking is required
  - --share=network
  # Required until Electron supports portals for load and safe dialogs
  - --filesystem=home
  # Required for notifications in various desktop environments
  - --talk-name=org.freedesktop.Notifications
cleanup: 
  - "*"
build-options:
  append-path: /usr/lib/sdk/node14/bin
  cflags: -O2 -g
  cxxflags: -O2 -g
  env:
     NPM_CONFIG_LOGLEVEL: info
modules:
  - name: filen
    buildsystem: simple
    build-options:
    env:
      XDG_CACHE_HOME: /run/build/filen/flatpak-node/cache
      npm_config_cache: /run/build/filen/flatpak-node/npm-cache
      npm_config_nodedir: /usr/lib/sdk/node14
      npm_config_offline: 'true'
    build-commands:
      - npm install --offline --verbose --cache=/run/build/node-modules/flatpak-node/npm-cache
    sources:
      - type: archive
        url: https://github.com/FilenCloudDienste/filen-desktop/archive/refs/tags/1.5.6.tar.gz
        sha256: d0e83fbcdfdcad46f6916f285646104679bb1d76c8829798ed1fe32d8cffd3c3
      - type: file
        path: io.filen.Filen.desktop

I get the error:

npm ERR! code ENOTCACHED
npm ERR! request to https://registry.npmjs.org/auto-launch failed: cache mode is 'only-if-cached' but no cached response available.

I don't know why, but maybe is necessary to download all sources to cache, as in org.flathub.electron-sample-app.yml, and when I build with offline option disabled I get:

npm ERR! errno EAI_AGAIN
npm ERR! request to https://registry.npmjs.org/auto-launch failed, reason: getaddrinfo EAI_AGAIN registry.npmjs.org

[vchernin]

Flatpak-builder doesn't allow any network access during the build process. If you want to install a bunch of node dependecies you'd need to install them before the formal build process begins.

In other words there are 2 stages:

1. Download everything you need (include node stuff) with network access
2. Build things (no network access)

You will want to look at: https://github.com/flatpak/flatpak-builder-tools/tree/master/node

[ghost]

Any news on this (only ask do not take it bad)

[vchernin]

You could avoid some hassle with node dependencies by just repacking the AppImage in Flatpak. However, the AppImage seems to only be for x86_64.

[ghost]

You could avoid some hassle with node dependencies by just repacking the AppImage in Flatpak. However, the AppImage seems to only be for x86_64.

majority of linux have dropped x32, and Arm isn't really the majority for linux desktop, but yes, i tried to ask their support if they planning to move from appimage to flatpak but the only response was the eternal "it's on our radar" (not exactly what they have said but when we read between the line it's what i see) so it will be done tomorrow or never :/

If so i will promptly search another services to have a real native app, and not yet another web-app

Yes i hate electron because the dev never update it or follow the security update and i don't want to see them anymore on linux.

[x80486]

I started the Flatpak because the AppImage is forever broken in Arch Linux "every other" release.

Is this something the Filen owners would like to maintain? Or would it be a community effort? Or they just don't want the Flatpak? :grin:

[ghost]

I started the Flatpak because the AppImage is forever broken in Arch Linux "every other" release.

Is this something the Filen owners would like to maintain? Or would it be a community effort? Or they just don't want the Flatpak? grin

yeah they does not seem to really follow the community, i have asked twice into the form and here (to know where they are into the dev of their announced cli), (and some other bug i have found) mount later no response.

For the flatpak they have responded this is on their "radar" god i hate when a dev say this, because it really it mean : "yeah yeah maybe lather".

If they don't move very soon (the time i finish my ansible automation for my desktop/laptop and server for installation but also maintenance / backup) i have a lifetime 30€), i will go to a true services who at least respond to paid user. (since i have buyed to use it as "external" backup of my internal backup (backup + syncthing).

This cheap lifetime was to check their services, but "electron outdated (no wayland native support)" + no answer an no news on their cli, it's too much for me pay more for more space (daily backup).

Last thing that will push me away if not fixed soon, their domain isn't dnssec protected, and for a zerotrust / End-2-End service is unforgivable.

[UnixPhonez]

submit to flathub

[UnixPhonez]

I started the Flatpak because the AppImage is forever broken in Arch Linux "every other" release. Is this something the Filen owners would like to maintain? Or would it be a community effort? Or they just don't want the Flatpak? grin

yeah they does not seem to really follow the community, i have asked twice into the form and here (to know where they are into the dev of their announced cli), (and some other bug i have found) mount later no response.

For the flatpak they have responded this is on their "radar" god i hate when a dev say this, because it really it mean : "yeah yeah maybe lather".

If they don't move very soon (the time i finish my ansible automation for my desktop/laptop and server for installation but also maintenance / backup) i have a lifetime 30€), i will go to a true services who at least respond to paid user. (since i have buyed to use it as "external" backup of my internal backup (backup + syncthing).

This cheap lifetime was to check their services, but "electron outdated (no wayland native support)" + no answer an no news on their cli, it's too much for me pay more for more space (daily backup).

Last thing that will push me away if not fixed soon, their domain isn't dnssec protected, and for a zerotrust / End-2-End service is unforgivable.

opened an issue and this was their response "we are working to make our new desktop app compatible with many popular Linux distributions, such as Flatpak.

Kind regards, Filen Support"

https://support.filen.io/ticket.php?track=NA6-S34-SVT2&e=pipsoyitru%40vusra.com&Refresh=37805

[ghost]

I started the Flatpak because the AppImage is forever broken in Arch Linux "every other" release. Is this something the Filen owners would like to maintain? Or would it be a community effort? Or they just don't want the Flatpak? grin

yeah they does not seem to really follow the community, i have asked twice into the form and here (to know where they are into the dev of their announced cli), (and some other bug i have found) mount later no response. For the flatpak they have responded this is on their "radar" god i hate when a dev say this, because it really it mean : "yeah yeah maybe lather". If they don't move very soon (the time i finish my ansible automation for my desktop/laptop and server for installation but also maintenance / backup) i have a lifetime 30€), i will go to a true services who at least respond to paid user. (since i have buyed to use it as "external" backup of my internal backup (backup + syncthing). This cheap lifetime was to check their services, but "electron outdated (no wayland native support)" + no answer an no news on their cli, it's too much for me pay more for more space (daily backup). Last thing that will push me away if not fixed soon, their domain isn't dnssec protected, and for a zerotrust / End-2-End service is unforgivable.

opened an issue and this was their response "we are working to make our new desktop app compatible with many popular Linux distributions, such as Flatpak.

Kind regards, Filen Support"

https://support.filen.io/ticket.php?track=NA6-S34-SVT2&e=pipsoyitru%40vusra.com&Refresh=37805

in my case i have terminated my account (paid) since they do not respond to paid user and have brushed off multiple concern over their "encryption" in the past, that and nearly no move on their end = i leave.

[UnixPhonez]

I started the Flatpak because the AppImage is forever broken in Arch Linux "every other" release. Is this something the Filen owners would like to maintain? Or would it be a community effort? Or they just don't want the Flatpak? grin

yeah they does not seem to really follow the community, i have asked twice into the form and here (to know where they are into the dev of their announced cli), (and some other bug i have found) mount later no response. For the flatpak they have responded this is on their "radar" god i hate when a dev say this, because it really it mean : "yeah yeah maybe lather". If they don't move very soon (the time i finish my ansible automation for my desktop/laptop and server for installation but also maintenance / backup) i have a lifetime 30€), i will go to a true services who at least respond to paid user. (since i have buyed to use it as "external" backup of my internal backup (backup + syncthing). This cheap lifetime was to check their services, but "electron outdated (no wayland native support)" + no answer an no news on their cli, it's too much for me pay more for more space (daily backup). Last thing that will push me away if not fixed soon, their domain isn't dnssec protected, and for a zerotrust / End-2-End service is unforgivable.

opened an issue and this was their response "we are working to make our new desktop app compatible with many popular Linux distributions, such as Flatpak. Kind regards, Filen Support" https://support.filen.io/ticket.php?track=NA6-S34-SVT2&e=pipsoyitru%40vusra.com&Refresh=37805

in my case i have terminated my account (paid) since they do not respond to paid user and have brushed off multiple concern over their "encryption" in the past, that and nearly no move on their end = i leave.

I would do the same, but currently a free user who uses the platform to backup my school files via cryptomator. I mostly only use the service cause it's one of the few that has a sync desktop app

[Barraguesh]

The reply to thank ticket thread is quite promising. Seems that it's actively under development.

Hello,

we are currently testing the new client internally. After the internal beta it will be released to our dedicated community beta testers. After that we will release it to the public. We cannot give an exact ETA but it shouldn't take too long.

Kind regards

[trymeouteh]

Would like this over an AppImage personally.

[jont4]

yeah flatpak please!

[AlexW00]

Please! (this would also give Filen free advertisement as it would definitlely get featured in the Flatpak stores!)

[jacobgonzales20]

Please! (this would also give Filen free advertisement as it would definitlely get featured in the Flatpak stores!)

Agreed, people would opt for Filen too, as it allows encrypted cryptomator vaults. Also, flatpak & flathub is required for immutable desktop distros, as they only use Flatpak's due to the root being locked down. Examples of these distros include: https://silverblue.fedoraproject.org/ https://nixos.org/ https://vanillaos.org/

[ahmuro]

This may be controversial, but I don't really like AppImage, so I really hope flatpak gets made.

[gammexane]

Almost two years later but... Any news about the Flatpak? I don't like appimages at all.

[joewood9364]

Please! (this would also give Filen free advertisement as it would definitlely get featured in the Flatpak stores!)

Agreed, people would opt for Filen too, as it allows encrypted cryptomator vaults. Also, flatpak & flathub is required for immutable desktop distros, as they only use Flatpak's due to the root being locked down. Examples of these distros include: https://silverblue.fedoraproject.org/ https://nixos.org/ https://vanillaos.org/

And OpenSuse MicroOS

[hj-collab]

Flatpak is a must in 2023. Please add support.

[stephanschindel]

What is the current status of flatpak support?

I for example cannot run the official Appimage, because I am running MicroOS Aeon and it does not ship with outdated FUSE2 (only FUSE3) which is needed to run Appimages.

Therefore I have to compile Filen by myself in an ubuntu container, not really satisfying.

[hj-collab]

@stephanschindel I had the same issue as above. Lack of proper wayland support is also a concern. I understand Filen is a few people company but sometimes I feel linux support and security is not a priority for Filen. I had to stop using Filen for now. I have switched to Mega and Google Drive for now. I hope Filen will be usable in the future.

[Ironfist69]

Flatpak version please

[ghost]

+1 for flatpak version. I enjoy the .appimage but as other users have pointed out, they are not entirely universal due to being dependent on the FUSE version.

Flatpak is a very well-supported packaging format that has near universal support. Most people think of Flathub when discussing Flatpaks, however, it is entirely possible to release a flatpak file to be installed without requiring the use of Flathub, it can be distributed as a file, or even via a Flatpak repo hosted by Filen directly if relying on Flathub is a concern for the developers.

[GerardoGR]

What is the current status of flatpak support?

I for example cannot run the official Appimage, because I am running MicroOS Aeon and it does not ship with outdated FUSE2 (only FUSE3) which is needed to run Appimages.

Therefore I have to compile Filen by myself in an ubuntu container, not really satisfying.

I'm currently running MicroOS Kalpa (the KDE version of Aeon) and I was able to run the AppImage without compiling anything, I just did a:

# loosely based off: https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageKit/wiki/FUSE
# libfuse2 is not needed because it was already installed
sudo transactional-update pkg install fuse

[ahmuro]

I used the MEGA flatpak for a little while, and I kept getting issues even after adding the filesystem permissions needed. Not sure if it is an issue of implementation or one of those limitations that still exists with the flatpak framework. While I still would love the flatpak version, proper features and functionality should be a priority, and right now it seems that AppImage is the one that has that. Plus, now that GearLever exists, I'm more comfortable using Appimages.

[Dyrimon]

Expressing support for this, so far I've managed to integrate the appimages manually following a 7 year old askubuntu thread, but no idea how to autoupdate. For an critcal app like backup and sync regular updates are essential. I'm staying away from third party apps like GearLever because in the past the official appimaged and appimagelauncher broke all my appimages. Clearly they are not good solutions, judging from the github issues of GearLever.