Flatpak and Snap packages

[nuttyartist]

We should already have some recipes ready for snap packages. I would like to update the package we currently serve on snapcraft (it looks like version 0.9.0 is still there https://snapcraft.io/notes from 2017). So it would be good to have the automatic process also create artifacts for snaps.

Flathub, with its Flatpak, is growing in popularity and I think we should also upload our app there.

We can disable our auto-update feature using https://github.com/nuttyartist/notes/pull/474 for both packages intended to be uploaded to the store.

[guihkx]

I can handle the Flatpak part.

I already have a Flatpak package of Notes pretty much ready on a separate repo, so now it's just a matter of:

1. Updating the build steps (from qmake to cmake).
2. You release v2.1.0.
3. I submit the app for review on Flathub.

But I'd like to add the .metainfo.xml to this repository before you release v2.1.0, so it can be shared among other packaging formats (it's pretty much a Linux standard).

Additionally, if you don't mind, I'd like to first tackle a couple of issues, hopefully throughout the weekend, before v2.1.0 is finally released:

• [ ] https://github.com/nuttyartist/notes/issues/466
• [x] https://github.com/nuttyartist/notes/issues/494
• [ ] https://github.com/nuttyartist/notes/discussions/477

[nuttyartist]

Perfect!

Additionally, if you don't mind, I'd like to first tackle a couple of issues, hopefully throughout the weekend, before v2.1.0 is finally released:

Sure. Let's do it.

I skimmed through the files on the separate repo. Looks very good. I'll suggest adding two more screenshots tho.

BTW, the app icons for apps on Flathub look so good. We'll need to up ourselves a notch there. If any of you know a good designer, I will happily pay for a professional-looking icon.

[guihkx]

If any of you know a good designer, I will happily pay for a professional-looking icon.

I don't of anyone, unfortunately. :/

I'll suggest adding two more screenshots tho.

Agreed. I'm not too great at it, though. I like the second GIF you added to the README, and I think it could yield some great screenshots.

If you still have that notes database (and assuming it's not private), perhaps you could share it here so I can take some new screenshots on Linux?

[nuttyartist]

If you still have that notes database (and assuming it's not private), perhaps you could share it here so I can take some new screenshots on Linux?

Sure!

notes.db.zip

[guihkx]

That's perfect, thanks! Here some simple screenshots I took on KDE Plasma 5.27 using the Qt 6 AppImage:

Let me know if they look good enough!

[zjeffer]

Looks great!

Maybe we should also add a screenshot of the app with the notes list and/or the folder tree closed. Or maybe we need to create a new GIF that showcases this? The current one in the README uses the older header colors which doesn't look very good.

[guihkx]

Maybe we should also add a screenshot of the app with the notes list and/or the folder tree closed

Good idea. I took a couple of extras screenshots with just the text editor widget visible. I'll add them here:

Or maybe we need to create a new GIF that showcases this?

The ones in the README could be updated as well, sure. But in this case in specific, we're dealing with screenshots that will go into the AppData file, to showcase the app in Linux app stores, like Flathub or the Snap Store.

In my understanding, animated GIFs would not be allowed there (or they would just be converted to a static image).

[nuttyartist]

Well, our app doesn't look very well in those pictures ):

I'll try to take pictures from Elementary OS, I think it should look better there. If I remember correctly frameless flag looks the best on Ubuntu.

Or maybe, I should create screenshots from macOS? That will be ideal.

[nuttyartist]

Let's use these:

[nuttyartist]

I suggest this order:

... other images you want to add...

BTW, here are all the files compressed:

notes_screenshots.zip

[guihkx]

Well, our app doesn't look very well in those pictures ):

You think so? :(

I think it looks nice... :P

Or maybe, I should create screenshots from macOS? That will be ideal.

Well, in my opinion, that would be misleading to Linux users, because that's not really how the app will look like...

Additionally, as the AppStream specification points out, using screenshots that were not taken on Linux is considered "bad":

However, using screenshots taken on elementaryOS would be fine. :)

[nuttyartist]

Additionally, as the AppStream specification points out, using screenshots that were not taken on Linux is considered "bad":

Fair. I will see what I can do.

[nuttyartist]

I've tried to run Ubuntu from the live image for the screenshots. But connecting an external USB disk to get the AppImage and database is impossible, and networking drivers are not on by default. Does someone know a workaround?

[guihkx]

But connecting an external USB disk to get the AppImage and database is impossible

Weird, why wouldn't that be possible?

networking drivers are not on by default

I'm not sure if you're using a laptop and trying to use the internet via Wi-Fi, but I've heard that's sometimes a mess on Linux... :/

Maybe try via cable if you have one?

[nuttyartist]

I think I used both a corrupted one and another with a file system compatible only with macOS.

I will try again tonight with a different one.

[nuttyartist]

So, no lack on Ubuntu, but your pictures are either as good or better than the ones I took on ElementaryOS. So we can go with this for now.

[guihkx]

Alright. :)

Do you still plan to release 2.1.0 today?

[nuttyartist]

The only thing left is signing and notarizing the macOS binary. It's a holiday here, so I'll look into that tomorrow.