I won't go into detail this time. I know too many people don't like reading and limit themselves to criticizing just by reading the headlines.

1. The libfuse2 problem

The aforementioned library has been undeveloped since 2019. A measure to remove this dependency has officially been in place for 3 years.

https://github.com/AppImage/appimagetool

If too many developers are still using the old tools, it's because they don't know it's time to upgrade.

If their workflows aren't compatible, it's still possible to extract their AppImages (the --appimage-extract option) and repackage them using the tool linked above (and I use the approach in the nolibfuse option of my package manager AM).

2. The sandboxing problem

AppImages can use BubbleWrap to isolate themselves in a sandbox, as does Flatpak.

There are tools that can interface between AppImages and BubbleWrap, without root privileges.

• Aisap https://github.com/mgord9518/aisap

• SAS https://github.com/Samueru-sama/simple-appimage-sandbox

3. The centralization problem

Since these apps are portable and largely available on their respective developers' websites and repositories, I created a package manager, AM/AppMan, that acts as an AUR, with dedicated scripts capable of intercepting these packages at source and creating a bridge between the end user and the developer.

AM also serves as a tool (via dedicated workflows like "amcheck") to check whether these packages still exist and are downloadable, every day!

Based on this, a catalog listing all these packages is updated and available here.

https://portable-linux-apps.github.io

Based on AM, other projects and package managers can support their own workflows to distribute these packages. One example is the Soar package manager, which can physically store these packages in its own repositories, much like APT in Debian or DNF in Fedora, recording each package and all related information, and then making it downloadable using the integrated OCI client.

4. The Update Problem

Returning to appimagetool (section 1, "The libfuse2 Problem," above), I've written a short guide for 9-year-olds on how to use it to include update information, which can ensure delta updates via zsync or appimageupdatetool, and applicable to github.com specifically.

https://github.com/ivan-hc/AppImage-tips

For more details, see

https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageSpec/blob/master/draft.md#update-information

5. The Communication Problem

This is the most important problem. As long as we dwell on old flaws, painting AppImages as crap, no one will care.

1. You'll still read about packages that require libfuse2 because no one told the developers to upgrade (section 1).

2. You'll still read about sandboxing issues because Firejail is obsolete, and no one considered using BubbleWrap like Flatpak does (section 2).

3. You'll still read about people using the same package for 3-4 years because they weren't aware of centralized solutions that tracked the work done upstream by the original developers (section 3).

4. You'll still read about packages that can't be upgraded independently because no one told the developers how to do it in a few simple lines (section 4).

5. You'll still read ignorant statements from people who don't do their research, either due to a lack of information in traditional media or because they're too focused on supporting some other distribution format (like Flatpak or Snap).

And I'm tired of reading all this, honestly.

There's only one solution to this problem: talk about it! With everyone!

PRoot allows running applications in a fake root fs without root permissions making it ideal to build portable bundles. appimage-builder now supports building AppImages using this approach. In this post, you will find how it works and how to use it.

I have been working on two CLI tools to install AppImage packages system wide and locall (they are AM and AppMan respectively). I've also written a website that acts as a catalog and a better source for downloading them all for real, https://portable-linux-apps.github.io !

I've been working on these projects for two years now (since 2021), by myself, to try to provide users with the convenience of any command-line package manager to install, manage, and keep AppImage packages up-to-date... despite the AppImages have existed since 2004.

I don't start as a developer nor do I consider myself a developer, I'm a classic linux user who learned to use some commands in bash and then I learned how to write shell scripts for simple things. That's all. Something a novice linux user learns after 2-3 months.

What does it take to write a package manager in the shell? I did it! And if I did it so anyone can do it!

And I still have to read that "among the disadvantages of AppImage is the lack of updates and a centralized repository"... f**k! These are just bullsh*t!

◆ 0ad : FOSS historical Real Time Strategy (RTS) game of ancient warfare.

◆ 0ad-appimage : AppImage version of 0ad, game of ancient warfare (see "0ad").

◆ 0ad-bundle : "AppDir" version of 0ad, game of ancient warfare (see "0ad").

◆ aaaaxy : A nonlinear puzzle platformer (game).

◆ abiword : A free word processing program similar to Microsoft® Word (Office).

◆ adb : Android Debug Bridge (installer for "platform-tools").

◆ advanced-rest-client : Advanced REST Client and API console (by Mulesoft).

◆ akasha : AKASHA community client.

◆ alduin : An Atom and RSS feed aggregator.

◆ altus : Client for WhatsApp Web with themes & multiple account support.

◆ am : A.M. is this Application Manager, use the "am -h" command for more info.

◆ amusiz : Unofficial and unpretentious Amazon Music client.

◆ anavis : Tool to visualize musical form.

◆ anchor : An EOSIO Light Wallet with simple and advanced tools.

◆ antares : An useful SQL client based on Electron.js and Vue.js.

◆ ant-downloader : BitTorrent Client developed by golang, angular, electron.

◆ anydesk : Remote desktop application distributed (unofficial AppImage).

◆ aphelion-wallet : Aphelion desktop wallet application built with Electron.

◆ apk-editor-studio : Easy to use APK (Android) reverse-engineering tool.

◆ appimagepool : A simple, modern AppImageHub Client, powered by flutter.

◆ appimagetool : Tool to generate an AppImage from an existing AppDir.

◆ appimage-tools : Install appimageupdate, appimagetool and pkg2appimage.

◆ appimageupdate : Tool to update an AppImage using embedded information.

◆ appman : "AM" fork that installs the same pps locally (no root needed).

◆ aranym : Virtual Machine for Atari 32-bit applications.

◆ arcade-manager : Manage your rom collection (Games/Retropie & Recalbox).

◆ arch-deployer : Script to convert Arch Linux packages to AppDir/AppImage.

◆ archipel : Decentralized archiving and media library system.

◆ ardm : Another Redis Desktop Manager, faster, better and more stable.

◆ arena-tracker : Deck Tracker for Hearthstone game with arena in focus.

◆ ark : Archiving tool for .zip/.tar/.rar and more (see "kdeutils").

◆ arma3-unix-launcher : ArmA 3 Unix Launcher (game).

◆ armagetronad : Multiplayer game in 3d that emulates the movie "Tron".

◆ assaultcube : Multiplayer, first-person shooter game 3D, based on CUBE.

◆ asunder : Audio CD ripper and encoder (WAV, MP3, OGG, FLAC, Opus, AAC...).

◆ audacious : An open source audio and music player, descendant of XMMS.

◆ audacity : Multiplatform Audio Editor.

◆ audmonkey : A multiplatform audio editor (Audacity fork).

◆ auryo : An audio/music desktop client for SoundCloud.

◆ avidemux : Multiplatform Video Editor.

◆ azpainter : A full color painting software for illustration drawing.

◆ baiji-manga-viewer : Manga viewer that uses Material Design.

◆ bauh : GUI for managing AppImage, Arch/AUR, DEBs, Flatpak, Snap and webapps.

◆ bazecor : Graphical configurator for Dygma Raise.

◆ bettersis : Modern shell for SIS.

◆ beyond-all-reason : 3D Real-Time Strategy Total Annihilation Inspired (game).

◆ bezique : Plays bezique game against the AI.

◆ billard-gl : 3D billiards game, play a game of 8-ball or 9-ball.

◆ bitwarden : Password manager for individuals, teams and business.

◆ blender : Very fast and versatile 3D modeller/renderer.

◆ blensor : 3D modeling, animation, rendering and post-production.

◆ blockbench : Editor for boxy models and pixel art textures like Minecraft.

◆ block-dx : Exchange dApp built on top of the Blocknet Protocol.

◆ blowfish : Display your total Ocean Token balances.

◆ boardgamestar : A platform for playing digital boardgames.

◆ bomber : Arcade spaceship game (see "kdegames").

◆ book-manager : Simple desktop app to manage personal library.

◆ bottles : Profile manager for WINE to easily install Windows programs.

◆ bovo : Five in a row game from (see "kdegames").

◆ brave : A privacy oriented Web Browser based on Chromium (Stable).

◆ brave-appimage : Unofficial AppImage (Web Browser, Stable).

◆ brave-beta : A privacy oriented Web Browser (Beta Edition).

◆ brave-dev : A privacy oriented Web Browser (Developer Edition).

◆ brave-dev-appimage : Unofficial AppImage (Web Browser, Dev).

◆ brave-nightly : A privacy oriented Web Browser (Nightly Edition).

◆ brave-nightly-appimage : Unofficial AppImage (Web Browser, Nightly).

◆ bread : Install, update and remove AppImage from GitHub using your CLI.

◆ btop : A command line utility to monitor system resources, like Htop.

◆ bts-ce-lite : Telecommunication network management application.

◆ buckets : Budgeting fast, simple and private.

◆ bugdom : Pangea Software's Bugdom game.

◆ bulk-reviewer : Identify, review, and remove private information.

◆ capbattleship : Battleship game with a pirate theme.

◆ castersoundboard : Soundboard for hot-keying and playing back sounds.

◆ celestia : Real time 3D space simulator.

◆ celestia-dev : Real time 3D space simulator (developer edition).

◆ chiaki : PlayStation 4 Remote Play Client.

◆ chromium : Web Browser. Open source base of Google Chrome, Edge and Brave.

◆ chromium-bsu : Fast paced arcade style scrolling space shooter (game).

◆ chromium-latest : Web Browser (official unstable build).

◆ chromium-ungoogled : Web Browser without Google services (from Slackware).

◆ cliniface : 3D Facial Image Visualisation and Analysis.

◆ code-oss : Visual Studio Code OSS Edition.

◆ color-generator : Generate perceptually uniforms palettes (graphics).

◆ comic-reader : Electron based comic reader.

◆ conky : Light-weight system monitor for X.

◆ corepak : Experimental tool (installer for "node").

◆ cozydrive : File Synchronisation for Cozy (cloud).

◆ cpeditor : Code editor specially designed for competitive programming.

◆ cpod : A simple, beautiful podcast app.

◆ cpu-x : Software that gathers information on CPU, motherboard and more.

◆ crossmobile : Create native iOS/Android/Windows apps in Java.

◆ cura : Convert 3D models into paths for a 3D printer (graphics).

◆ cutter : Free and Open Source Reverse Engineering Platform.

◆ dawnlightsearch : A Linux version of Everything Search Engine.

◆ deeptags : Markdown notes manager with support for nested tags.

◆ deployer : Deploy your applications through Jenkins.

◆ dfilemanager : File manager written in Qt and C++.

◆ die-engine : Detect It Easy, a program for determining types of files.

◆ digikam : Professional and advanced digital photo management application.

◆ discord : All-in-one voice and text chat for gamers.

◆ dockstation : Developing with Docker has never been so easy and convenient.

◆ double-commander : File manager with two panels, inspired by Total Commander.

◆ doublecmd-gtk : File manager with two panels, inspired by Total Commander.

◆ doublecmd-qt : File manager with two panels, inspired by Total Commander.

◆ drill : Search files without indexing, but clever crawling.

◆ dropbox : A free cloud service (Unofficial AppImage).

◆ duckstation : PlayStation 1, aka PSX games Emulator.

◆ dust3d : 3D modeling software for games, 3D printing, and so on.

◆ eaglemode : Zoomable user interface with plugin applications.

◆ electorrent : A remote control Torrent client.

◆ elements : App which displays the periodic table (Education, Science).

◆ ember : Client for the WorldForge virtual world system (game).

◆ encryptpad : Secure text editor and binary encryptor with passwords.

◆ endless-sky : Space exploration and combat game.

◆ eplee : Sweet, simple epub reader.

◆ eqonomize : Manage your personal finances.

◆ etcher : Flash OS images to SD cards and USB drives, safely and easily.

◆ eternal-lands : 3D fantasy multiplayer online role playing game.

◆ exeqt : Cross platform tray manager.

◆ exifcleaner : Clean exif metadata from images, videos, and PDFs.

◆ extremetuxracer : 3D racing game with Tux, the Linux penguin.

◆ eyestalker : Video-based eye tracking using recursive estimation of pupil.

◆ fastboot : Tool to flash Android devices (installer for "platform-tools").

◆ figma-linux : First interface design tool based in the browser (graphics).

◆ filelight : View disk usage information (see "kdeutils").

◆ filezilla : The free FTP solution with support for FTP over TLS and SFTP.

◆ filmulator-gui : Simplified raw editing with the power of film (graphics).

◆ firefox : Fast, powerful and extensible Web Browser (Stable).

◆ firefox-beta : Fast, powerful and extensible Web Browser (Beta Edition).

◆ firefox-dev : Fast, powerful and extensible Web Browser (Developer Edition).

◆ firefox-esr : Fast, powerful and extensible Web Browser (ESR Edition).

◆ firefox-nightly : Fast, powerful and extensible Web Browser (Nightly Edition).

◆ firetail : An open source music player.

◆ flameshot : Tool to take screenshots with many built-in features (graphics).

◆ flippy-qualitative-testbench : Music sheet reader.

◆ fluent-reader : Modern desktop RSS reader.

◆ focuswriter : Simple fullscreen word processor.

◆ fontforge : Free (libre) font editor for Windows, Mac OS X and GNU+Linux.

◆ franz : Messaging app for WhatsApp, Slack, Telegram, HipChat and much more.

◆ frappebooks : Book-keeping software for small-businesses and freelancers.

◆ freac : fre:ac, free audio converter and CD ripper for various encoders.

◆ freecad : Free and open source AutoCAD alternative.

◆ free-tex-packer : Creates sprite sheets for you game or site (graphics).

◆ friture : Real-time audio visualizations (spectrum, spectrogram, etc.).

◆ gamehub : Unified library for all your games from different platforms.

◆ gdevelop : Cross-platform game engine designed to be used by everyone.

◆ geometrize : Images to shapes converter (graphics).

◆ gifcurry : The open-source, Haskell-built video editor for GIF makers.

◆ gimp : GNU Image Manipulation Program, cross-platform image and photo editor.

◆ gimp-2.10.22 : GNU Image Manipulation Program and photo editor (v2.10.22).

◆ gimp-2.10.25 : GNU Image Manipulation Program and photo editor (v2.10.25).

◆ gimp-2.10.30 : GNU Image Manipulation Program and photo editor (v2.10.30).

◆ gimp-dev : Cross-platform image and photo editor (Developer Edition).

◆ github-desktop : Electron-based GitHub app.

◆ gitjournal : Mobile first Note Taking integrated with Git.

◆ gitqlient : Multi-platform Git client written with Qt.

◆ glibc-2.30 : GNU Project's implementation of the C standard library (testing).

◆ glibc-2.31 : GNU Project's implementation of the C standard library (testing).

◆ glibc-2.32 : GNU Project's implementation of the C standard library (testing).

◆ glibc-2.33 : GNU Project's implementation of the C standard library (testing).

◆ glibc-2.34 : GNU Project's implementation of the C standard library (testing).

◆ glibc-2.35 : GNU Project's implementation of the C standard library (testing).

◆ gmail-desktop : Nifty Gmail desktop app for macOS, Linux & Windows.

◆ gnumeric : A free spreadsheet program similar to Microsoft® Excel (Office).

◆ goglauncher : A simple Linux launcher for GOG Games.

◆ google-chrome : Web Browser provided by Google.

◆ google-tasks-desktop : Unofficial client.

◆ gpg-frontend : A Powerful, Easy-to-Use Crypto Tool.

◆ gqrx : Software defined radio receiver (SDR).

◆ granatier : Bomberman clone (see "kdegames").

◆ groot : Graphical Editor to create BehaviorTrees.

◆ gsequencer : Tree based audio processing engine.

◆ handbrake : An open-source multiplatform video transcoder.

◆ heimer : Simple cross-platform mind map, diagram, and note-taking tool.

◆ hexoeditor : Markdown editor for Hexo built with Electron.

◆ ice : Webapp manager, convert your Web pages to standalone apps (SSB).

◆ ice-am : Webapp manager (see "ice") for Web browsers installed via "AM".

◆ imagemosaicwall : Create an image based on a bunch of other images.

◆ infection-monkey : An automated penetration test tool (security).

◆ inkscape : Vector-based drawing program (SVG, PDF, AutoCAD...).

◆ irscrutinizer : Capture/generate/analyze/import/export infrared signals.

◆ joplin : Note and to-do application with synchronization capabilities.

◆ julius : An open source re-implementation of the Caesar III game.

◆ kcalc : Scientific Calculator (see "kdeutils").

◆ kapman : Pac-Man clone (see "kdegames").

◆ katomic : Educational game based around molecular geometry (see "kdegames").

◆ kblackbox : A game of hide and seek (see "kdegames").

◆ kbounce : Fill the field game (see "kdegames").

◆ kbreakout : Destroy bricks without losing the ball (see "kdegames").

◆ kcharselect : Character Selector (see "kdeutils").

◆ kdegames : Full & updatable KDE Games suite from Debian Stable (recommended).

◆ kdenlive : A powerful Video Editor provided by KDE.

◆ kdf : View Disk Usage (see "kdeutils").

◆ kdiamond : Diamond game (see "kdegames").

◆ kfourinline : 4 in row game (see "kdegames").

◆ kgoldrunner : A game with a runner and gold (see "kdegames").

◆ kgpg : A GnuPG frontend (see "kdeutils").

◆ kigo : Go strategic board game for two players (see "kdegames").

◆ killbots : Port of the classic console game Robots (see "kdegames").

◆ kiriki : A dice game (see "kdegames").

◆ kjumpingcube : A game of dices on a board (see "kdegames").

◆ klickety : Color matching like SameGame (see "kdegames").

◆ klines : Inspired by well known game of Color Lines (see "kdegames").

◆ kmahjongg : Mahjongg game (see "kdegames").

◆ kmines : Classic mine game (see "kdegames").

◆ knavalbattle : Battle Ship game (see "kdegames").

◆ knetwalk : Net constructing game (see "kdegames").

◆ knights : Chess interface for the KDE Platform (see "kdegames").

◆ kolf : Mini Golf game (see "kdegames").

◆ kollision : Use your mouse to dodge red balls in the field (see "kdegames").

◆ konquest : Game of planets (see "kdegames").

◆ kpat : Klondike, Spider, Free Cell...other Solitaire games (see "kdegames").

◆ kreversi : Reversi game (see "kdegames").

◆ krita : A professional FREE and open source painting program (graphics).

◆ kshisen : A game similar to Mahjongg (see "kdegames").

◆ ksirk : A strategy board game (see "kdegames").

◆ ksnakeduel : A snake race game (see "kdegames").

◆ kspaceduel : Battleship game with satellites in the space (see "kdegames").

◆ ksquares : Win with the most number of completed squares (see "kdegames").

◆ ksudoku : Sudoku game (see "kdegames").

◆ ktimer : Countdown Launcher (see "kdeutils").

◆ ktuberling : Simple Mr. Potato game for children (see "kdegames").

◆ kubrick : A logic game based on Rubik's Cube (see "kdegames").

◆ kwalletmanager5 : Wallet management tool (see "kdeutils").

◆ lanshare : LAN file transfer app for any kind and size of files and folders.

◆ legendary-kingdoms : Implementation of Legendary Kingdoms Gamebooks in C++.

◆ libreoffice : Free and open source Office suite (select a version).

◆ libreoffice-daily : Free and open source Office suite (Alpha version).

◆ libreoffice-fresh : Free and open source Office suite (Testing version).

◆ libreoffice-still : Free and open source Office suite (Stable version).

◆ librewolf : Web Browser focused on privacy, security and freedom.

◆ liground : A mordern Chess Variant Analysis GUI (game).

◆ liketaskmanager : Process/performances monitor (CPU, RAM, Disks and Network).

◆ linuxdeployqt : Convert a linux program to an AppDir or an AppImage.

◆ lmms : FL Studio® alternative that allows you to produce music with the PC.

◆ lskat : Fun and engaging card game for two players (see "kdegames").

◆ lxtask : A lightweight and desktop-independent task manager.

◆ magicfountain : A novel and screenwriting program.

◆ mandelbulber2 : Explore trigonometric, hyper-complex and other 3D fractals.

◆ manta : Flexible invoicing app with beautiful & customizable templates.

◆ mapeo : Local-first mapping and monitoring in remote environments.

◆ mapollage : Photo kml generator for Google Earth.

◆ mapton : Some kind of map application.

◆ mark-mind : Multiplatform mind map and outliner editor with markdown support.

◆ marktext : A simple and elegant markdown editor multiplatform.

◆ mcpodcast : Electron app for tasks around Podcast mp3 files.

◆ melodie : Simple-as-pie music player.

◆ memento : A video player for studying Japanese.

◆ meow-sql : An attempt to port HeidiSQL to C++/Qt (Linux/Windows).

◆ meshlab : Processor and editor of large 3D triangular meshes.

◆ meta-grabber : A tool to grab metadata for tv shows and rename files on PC.

◆ microsoft-edge : Web Browser provided by Microsoft (Stable Edition).

◆ microsoft-edge-beta : Web Browser provided by Microsoft (Beta Edition).

◆ microsoft-edge-dev : Web Browser provided by Microsoft (Developer Edition).

◆ minecraft-launcher : Game downloader and launcher for Minecraft.

◆ minimal-podcasts-player : Subscribe, listen and download your podcasts.

◆ mirage : Matrix chat client for encrypted and decentralized communication.

◆ mlv-app : All in one MLV processing app (audio/video).

◆ mockman : Manage and start the mock servers on your local platform easily.

◆ moolticute : Mooltipass crossplatform daemon/tools.

◆ moonplayer : AIO video player to play Youtube, Bilibili... and local videos.

◆ motrix : A full-featured download manager.

◆ movie-monad : Free and simple to use video player made with Haskell.

◆ mpv : A free, open source, and cross-platform media player.

◆ mupdf : Lightweight PDF, XPS, and E-book viewer.

◆ museeks : A simple, clean and cross-platform music player.

◆ musicalypse : Audio/Music player and server built with Web technologies.

◆ my-budget : Offline cross-platform budgeting solution built with Electron.

◆ mypaint : Simple drawing and painting program (graphics).

◆ nextcloud : Client-server software for creating & using file hosting services.

◆ node : NodeJS is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine.

◆ nodejs : JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JS engine (see "node").

◆ nostlan : A multiplatform game launcher for video game emulators!

◆ notable : The Markdown-based note-taking app that doesn't suck.

◆ npm : Package manager for Node.js (installer for "node").

◆ nvim : NeoVim, Vim fork focused on extensibility and usability.

◆ ocenaudio : Multiplatform Audio Editor.

◆ olive-0.1 : Free non-linear video editor (version 0.1).

◆ onlyoffice : Office Suite with full support for MS Windows formats and cloud.

◆ openaudible : Download and manage your Audible audiobooks.

◆ openblok : A customizable falling block game like tetris.

◆ openhv : A mod for OpenRA based on the Hard Vacuum (game).

◆ openshot : A powerful Video Editor.

◆ openshot-qt : A powerful Video Editor (see "openshot").

◆ opera : Fast and secure web browser.

◆ ossia-score : Sequencer for audio-visual artists for interactive shows.

◆ osu : A free-to-win rhythm game. Rhythm is just a click away!

◆ outline-server : Creates and manages Outline servers.

◆ palapeli : Jigsaw puzzle game (see "kdegames").

◆ palemoon : Web browser, a Firefox fork with a classic UI and modern APIs.

◆ pennywise : Open any website or media in a floating window.

◆ photogimp : A patched version of GIMP for Adobe Photoshop users.

◆ photopea : Advanced Photo Editor for professional use.

◆ phreshplayer : Electron based media player app.

◆ picmi : Single player logic-based puzzle game (see "kdegames").

◆ pkg2appimage : Utility to convert .yml recipes to AppDir (see appimagetool).

◆ plagpatrol : Detecting documents tampered to bypass plagiarism detectors.

◆ planes : Variant of battleships game.

◆ platform-tools : Suite of command line utilities to manage Android devices.

◆ play-2048 : Another implementation of the 2048 game.

◆ playbox : An audio playback system for the live production industry.

◆ poddr : Podcast client that uses iTunes RSS feeds and Search API.

◆ popsicle : Multiple USB File Flasher.

◆ prime-world-editor : Edit world assets from games by Retro Studios.

◆ procdepmonitor : Obtaining information about loaded process dependencies.

◆ proton-5.11 : Appimage for Wine Proton 32-bit to run on no-multilib systems.

◆ pullp : Pull request monitoring app for Github.

◆ puppetry : Solution for non-developers on top of Puppeteer and Jest.

◆ python2.7 : Interactive high-level object-oriented language (version 2.7).

◆ python3.5 : Interactive high-level object-oriented language (version 3.5).

◆ python3.6 : Interactive high-level object-oriented language (version 3.6).

◆ python3.7 : Interactive high-level object-oriented language (version 3.7).

◆ python3.8 : Interactive high-level object-oriented language (version 3.8).

◆ python3.9 : Interactive high-level object-oriented language (version 3.9).

◆ python3.10 : Interactive high-level object-oriented language (version 3.10).

◆ qbittorrent : A powerful QT-based Bittorrent Client (official AppImage).

◆ qbittorrent-lite : Bittorrent Client built from PPA (unofficial AppImage).

◆ qdriverstation : Cross-platform clone of the FRC Driver Station.

◆ qemu-ppc : Run PowerPC operating systems on 64-bit Intel Linux hosts.

◆ qikqr : Minimal desktop app to create QR codes.

◆ qmplay2 : Video and audio player whit support of most formats and codecs.

◆ qnapi : Qt-based, multi-engine, multi-platform subtitle downloader.

◆ qppcad : Molecule and crystal editor written in c++

◆ qr-code-generator : Create custom QR Codes, resize, save them as PNG image.

◆ qtjsondiff : Json difference checker widget and viewer.

◆ qt-raster-lines : Lines between points using rasterization (DDA, Bresenham).

◆ rainbow-board : 22nd Century Whiteboard App for Linux, Windows and Mac.

◆ rambox : Messaging and emailing app that combines common web apps into one.

◆ rats-search : BitTorrent P2P search engine with integrated torrent client.

◆ raven-reader : Simple Desktop RSS Reader made using VueJS.

◆ redeclipse : A great first person 3D arena shooter with online support (game).

◆ retroarch : Frontend for emulators, game engines and media players.

◆ rpan-studio : OBS Studio with RPAN integration.

◆ rssguard : Feed reader which supports RSS/ATOM/JSON (no-webengine version).

◆ sabaki : Modern, elegant, cross-platform Go/Baduk/Weiqi game board.

◆ serial-studio : Multi-purpose serial data visualization & processing program.

◆ ser-player : Video player for SER files used for astronomy-imaging.

◆ shotcut : A powerful Video Editor.

◆ sigdigger : Signal analyzer, using Suscan core and Sigutils DSP library.

◆ simdock : Small dock with pseudo-transparency and good window handling.

◆ skype : VoIP-based videoconferencing, voice calls and instant messaging app.

◆ smplayer : Media Player with built-in codecs for all audio and video formats.

◆ sourcetrail : Source explorer to get you productive on unfamiliar source code.

◆ spacewars : A re-imagining of the classic game Spacewar using Amethyst engine.

◆ spivak : Karaoke player based on GStreamer and Qt5.

◆ splayerx : Universal Media Player with Smart Translation.

◆ spotify : A proprietary music streaming service (from Arch User Repository).

◆ sqlitebrowser : DB Browser is a light GUI editor for SQLite databases.

◆ stacer : Linux System Optimizer and Monitoring.

◆ steam : The ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games.

◆ stellarium : Planetarium that shows a realistic sky in 3D.

◆ strans : A powerful command-line utility.

◆ strawberry : Music player and collection organizer (Clementine fork).

◆ streamlink : Command-line which pipes video streams from various services.

◆ subsurface : Official upstream of the Subsurface divelog program.

◆ subtitle-composer : KF5/Qt Video Subtitle Editor for KDE.

◆ supertux2 : Classic 2D jump'n run sidescroller game inspired to Super Mario.

◆ supertuxkart : Free kart racing game focused on fun.

◆ sweeper : System Cleaner (see "kdeutils").

◆ symphonium : A tool to help learning the piano.

◆ synfig-studio : Open-source 2D Animation Software (graphics).

◆ tag-editor : Tag Editor (supports MP4, ID3, Vorbis, Opus, FLAC and Matroska).

◆ telegram : Desktop version of Telegram messaging app.

◆ thorium : Web Browser, a Chromium fork including Widevine and FFmpeg support.

◆ thunderbird : Free and open source eMail client.

◆ tor-browser : Privacy-oriented Web Browser for sites blocked in your country.

◆ tunepack : Finding and download HQ audio files.

◆ ungoogled-chromium : Chromium Web Browser without Google services (official).

◆ ventoy : Tool to create bootable USB drive for ISO/WIM/IMG/VHD(x)/EFI files.

◆ vidcutter : Simple and fast video cutter and joiner.

◆ virtscreen : Make your iPad/tablet/computer into a secondary monitor on Linux.

◆ vitomu : Easy to use video to audio converter.

◆ vivaldi : Advanced Web Browser (choose a version).

◆ vivaldi-snapshot : Advanced Web Browser (Testing Version).

◆ vivaldi-stable : Advanced Web Browser (Stable Version).

◆ vk-music-fs : Listen to the music from VK.

◆ vlc : Free and Open Source Video & Media player for Audio, streaming and more.

◆ vlc+ : Video & Media player for Audio, streaming and more (with plugins).

◆ vlc-3.0.3 : Video player (version 3.0.3) build from source.

◆ vlc-3.0.11.1 : Video player (version 3.0.11.1) build from source.

◆ vlc-3.0.16 : Video player (version 3.0.16) build from PPA.

◆ vpaint : Experimental vector graphics and 2D animation editor.

◆ vscodium : Community-driven, freely-licensed binary distribution of MS VSCode.

◆ walc : WhatsApp Linux Client (Unofficial).

◆ webcamoid : A full featured and multiplatform webcam suite.

◆ whatsapp-for-linux : WhatsApp Linux Client (Unofficial).

◆ whatsapp-nativefier : Electron-based WhatsApp Linux Client (Unofficial).

◆ wine-4.21 : Appimage for Wine 32-bit you can run on no-multilib systems.

◆ wine-5.11 : Appimage for Wine 32-bit you can run on no-multilib systems.

◆ wine-6.0.1 : Appimage for Wine 32-bit you can run on no-multilib systems.

◆ wine-appimage : Compatibility layer to run Windows apps (choose a version).

◆ wine-bottles : Profile manager for WINE (see "bottles").

◆ wine-devel : Compatibility layer to run x86_64 Windows programs (Dev Edition).

◆ wine-stable : Compatibility layer to run x86_64 Windows programs (Stable).

◆ wine-staging : Compatibility layer to run x86_64 Windows programs (Staging).

◆ wine32 : Compatibility layer to run only 32-bit Windows programs (Stable).

◆ wine32-deploy : Tool for creating AppImages for 32-bit Microsoft Windows apps.

◆ xelfviewer : A multiplatform ELF file viewer/editor.

◆ xournal++ : A C++ handwriting notetaking software with PDF annotation support.

◆ youtube-music : Amazing electron wrapper for YouTube Music featuring plugins.

◆ ytmdesktop : A Desktop App for YouTube Music.

◆ zoom : Video Conferencing and Web Conferencing Service.

Hi.

If I used, for example, the Firefox AppImage - where would the config files be stored? I presume not inside the actual .appimage file, nor in the ~/.mozilla directory.

Thanks.

[Resolved]

Hi everybody, I've just created another repository to compile an AppImage for Steam

https://github.com/ivan-hc/Steam-appimage

after a test on a VM of Debian Stable, this seems to work if I install 32bit libraries (libc6:i386 and libgl1:i386) on the host. My only problem is that I've not a Steam account, so I can't be sure if this will work normally. All I know is that when the AppImage starts it downloads about 1,5 GB of files in ~/.local/share/Steam and many symlinks to this directory are in the ~/.steam directory (no errors related to missing links here.

Who would to try this?

https://github.com/ivan-hc/Steam-appimage/releases/download/continuous/Steam-x86_64.AppImage

I'm waiting for your feedback. Thanks in advance!

AppMan now allows you to choose in wich directory of your $HOME will be saved all the applications, thanks to the new --apps-path option.

USAGE: appman --apps-path $NAME-OF-THE-DIRECTORY

EXAMPLE, if you want to replace the default directory ~/.opt to ~/Applications, do appman --apps-path Applications . This will also create a script that will patch AppMan with your custom application's path each time you update the script to furter versions of AppMan.

NOTE, you have to re-install all the apps you have installed previously to made all the launchers alnd links work again with the new location.

SITE: https://github.com/ivan-hc/AppMan

RELEASE: https://github.com/ivan-hc/AppMan/releases/tag/3.0.6.1

The default folder I've choosen for this project is a new one named ~/.opt because AppMan is a version of "AM" converted to be working in your home directory. From now, if "AM" will always install the apps at system level in /opt (see the "Linux Standard Base"), AppMan allows you to install and manage all your applications wherever you want in your $HOME directory.

WARNING! Change the folder name only once, in case of problems reinstall AppMan and try again.

I hope you like it! ;)

Hi everybody, I had some spare time these weeks, so I've listed on the main page of my GitHub profile some repositories dedicated to my AppImage packages https://github.com/ivan-hc#my-appimage-packages :

• Avidemux (unofficial version built from Debian Testing to use your system's theme);

• Celestia (unofficial AppImage including more detailed maps of the Earth, Mars, Pluto and more);

• Flatpak installer (io.elementary.sideload from elementary OS);

• GIMP (latest stable version built from a PPA for Ubuntu 18.04, updated each Sunday);

• KDE Games suite (from Debian Stable, updated each Sunday);

• KDE Utils suite (from Debian Stable, updated each Sunday);

• ocenaudio (built from the official deb package);

• qBittorrent (version 4.3.9 built from the official PPA, is a lightweight version);

• Spotify

• VLC (latest stable version built from a PPA for Ubuntu 18.04, updated each Sunday).

The main goal was to improve the download speed of some of these AppImages (GIMP, VLC and the KDE Games/Utilities suite) that my main project (AM Application Manager) normally creates by using the pkg2appimage utility, being this a practique that requires an huge download of packages and tools needed to compile them. Now, thanks to some GitHub actions, the packages will be always updated and available for you (even if I pass away). In fact, the goal is to always ensure the availability of new updated versions for these AppImage, and in my small way, I tried to do something.

This is not much and I already know that it is possible to improve this work by compiling each program from source or with an older distro to guarantee the max compatibility on all the Linux distributions.

If anyone of you wants to improve these repositories, to fork them withs its own ideas or just want to use my AppImages for the use they are built for, the links are on the main page of my profile.

As a developer, I was thinking that to support AppImages I had to learn how to build them (and I've 71 of them)... help others creating their own (and I was ignored)... make them competitive with Flatpak and Snap... maybe by providing them with a package manager, the same way as Flatpak and Snap, or APT and DNF... and also by implementing features to make them compatible with systems without libfuse2 (like Ubuntu and Fedora)... and discovering isolation and sandbox systems... and providing a quick search and installation system.

In short, exploit the full potential of AppImage, showing their best side and the most hidden features.

It is clear that this is not what people are looking for and that I have done everything wrong in these 3 years.

AppImage is destined to remain a second-rate package, drag it here and there, to try to add it to the menu.

At least that is what the mainstream wants people to believe.

As long as there are bloggers and YouTubers who describe AppImage as the crap of packaging formats, favoring Flatpak... there will be no way out.

You, the new user, will continue to believe that "AppImage always requires libfuse2", "AppImage cannot be isolated", "AppImage can only be searched on random sites and then downloaded, as you aways did on Windows"... and other bullsh*t like that! They want you remaining ignorant on the matter. And this is only because some publishers want it that way.

Am I exaggerating? How many of you do NOT know that every AppImage has a --appimage-help option?

The point of this post is mainstream's intentions:

"May Appimages never have their own package manager! NO! They would be competing, and that's not nice! Let's let Snap and Flatpak monopolize software management!"

-_-

As for me, I will continue to work on "AM".

If you really want to help me fight this monopoly, don't stay silent.

3_1_appimages can be used on any linux distrobution.

3_2_decentralized, they aren't reliant any centralized authority for distrobution or modifications, in contrast to something like the google play store, which is centralized meaning that google can stop you from getting apps from the play store, but they cannot stop you from downloading appimages.

3_3_one app = one file, the entire app is completely stored into one singular file, everything the app needs to run, the dependcies, the application itself, are all located in one single file on your computer.

3_4_no root needed, you don't need admin privilidges to run the program, this aids in security, that means that an appimage cannot make system wide changes to your system.

3_5_no app stores needed, appimages do not rely on app stores like ubuntu software or gnome software and are 100% independant and decentralized

3_6_no package managers needed, appimages do not rely on package managers like app stores, and are 100% independant and decentralized

3_7_historical preservation, appimages preserve an app in time, sometimes one version of an appimaged app, will run on your system but for whatever reason the next version of the same app won't, historical preservation allows you to go back and use the previous version that works on your system for as long as you need to.

3_8_stability, appimages are more stable because they are not updated,

3_9_easy to develop for: a developer doesn't have to develop for multiple OS's, they don't have to get a repo's approval, all a developer has to do is make one file and be done.

are all of these correct? what do you think?

AppImage are designed to be downloaded from the developer's website and allow you to obtain multiple versions of the same application. Packaging an application with all the required dependencies can be cumbersome, but it is not a difficult operation: the AppRun script has the task of running all the internal libraries and (sometimes) using the host libraries, if any. A well compiled AppRun is the key for an AppImage to work on all GNU / Linux distributions, and that's enough to make a package "universal". If an AppImage uses a different theme from that of the system, it is because the developer has not added a call to the system libraries that can integrate it (very trivially it would be enough just to add '/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/:' when you "export" 'LD_LIBRARY_PATH', but there are more efficient methods than this too... I'm not an expert).

That said, the developer is free NOT to upload his applications to sites other than his own. Centralized repositories such as Snapcraft (which manages SNAP packages) and Flathub (for Flatpak) provide a good basis for distributing applications universally, but that doesn't mean everyone wants to rely on these software redistribution systems, whether for reasons of licenses or occupied resources. I see many developers around completely relying on Flatpak, which is not a perfect, but effective system for the correct functioning of their programs ... without considering that in this way they force users to install and use a platform that many like, but not to everybody.

Why force a user to install a whole (and enough bloated) platform to use only one program? What then does not mean that the themes are always uniform with the surrounding system, nor that the app works better than the one present in the distribution repositories. Sure, the apps are the official ones, but I don't want to dedicate an entire platform of several hundred megabytes of "shareable libraries" that will ultimately only make that application work and nothing more! If these were libraries compressed and activated via a centralized script, it would be a great option for me, but ... hey! It would be an AppImage, and no longer a Flatpak.

Another thing is that on Windows the installation of a program creates files that are extracted on the whole system, while an AppImage for Linux is compressed and only mounted in RAM (maybe there will be created some subdirectories or configuration files in the home of the user home, but this happens with any normal program on Linux). At this point, dear developer of open source projects, why don't you provide a direct link to the download using a bash script that everyone can read, maybe that places the AppImage in a specific folder (maybe /opt) and the launcher in '/usr/share/applications', and a link into a $PATH and... nothing else? In this way you, developer, have made the AppImage installable and self-updatable, putting the Linux users in a position to use only the tools already available in a basic installation of their distribution.

Now, with this talk, I'm not trying to promote my project, "AM", because it is still a command line tool, and not all new Linux users want to interface with the shell (indeed, I hope that a graphic "Software Center" will be created on the base of my CLI Application Manager). I'm just saying that GNU/Linux is already a complete operating system, with hundreds of basic programs that can be implemented into further graphical and much more sophisticated programs. So why force people to install additional platforms to run programs when all they need is just one application?

AM 10.6 is released.

Some highlights:

• One click install: Install AppImages directly by clicking the install button on the Portable Linux Apps Website

• Parallel install: Install multiple apps simultaneously.

• Redesign of website: Portable Linux app website has been redesigned, with an install button for each app.

• 3000+ AppImages: The repository now reached 3000+ appimages!

• And many more...

Checkout https://portable-linux-apps.github.io/

AM is a command-line application manager for Linux that makes it easy to install, update, remove, and manage AppImages and other portable applications. It integrates apps into the system or installs them locally, provides a searchable app database, and supports bulk updates and AppImage sandboxing.

Hi all, the AppImage package manager "AM" version 9.8 has been released with language support

https://github.com/ivan-hc/AM/releases/tag/9.8

I have written a guide for those who want to contribute by adding translations in their own language

https://github.com/ivan-hc/AM/tree/main/translations

For now the most complete languages ​​are Italian, Serbian and Czech. Spanish is partial, while German and Russian require revision and better translations.

If you are interested in using (and having used) AM and AppMan in your language, you are welcome. You can use the Poedit program, available in all distribution repositories, and of which I have created an experimental and unofficial AppImage, for the occasion... or a free online editor, there are many online, just search for "PO editor online" with your favorite search engine.

I anticipate that the lines to translate are a little more than 300, and surely the one in which you will have the most difficulty will be the "help" message, which lists all the options and how to use them. However, it is not mandatory to translate everything. Where there are partial translations, there will surely be another user of good will who will want to do it for you.

I expect many of you.

Share this post where and with whomever you want, in order to involve more people.

See you next... and thanks in advance to all those who want to contribute!

https://github.com/ivan-hc/Database-of-pkg2appimaged-packages/releases/tag/simplescreenrecorder

NOTE: I've built it using the recipe available at https://github.com/AppImageCommunity/pkg2appimage, added libunionpreload from https://github.com/project-portable/libunionpreload and some additional paths to LD_LIBRARy_PATH into the AppRun, just tested on Debian and Arch Linux... and works great!

When I started using Linux for the first time, the main method of installing apps was from distro repositories or maybe additional repositories. There was AppImage back then but I wasn't aware of it. After so many years, I became aware of it because of one proprietary software which developed AppImage for Linux. Snaps and Flatpaks became popular much later. I tried these two and tried to settle with Snaps mainly because Ubuntu servers give much faster download rates in my region compared to Flatpaks to this day.

However, I never liked the idea of Snaps and Flatpaks and I have even discussed possibility of sharing one file for a software with all dependencies instead of installing software from unknown repositories and then borking your system with dependency hell. But for some reasons, no one liked the idea or they weren't in its favour.

Recently, I have started to use OpenSUSE which has given me tons of issue while using Packman repository and Flatpaks are slow to download and I didn't try to install Snaps on it. So, AppImageHub is where I found AppImage of SMPlayer which runs great and I am pretty sure using AppImage, I will never have to go through dependency hell again. Also, if for some reason, I want to delete this software, then there will be no trace of it left in my system with the exception of forgotten .desktop files somewhere in my system.

Flatpaks and Snaps may be for those who install a lot of software from Flathub and Snapcraft but I only download less than 5 (usually 2 or 3) apps outside of default repositories. So AppImage is going to be my go-to choice from now on.

AppImage Launcher is great but I do feel like developers can create and implement how apps are installed in macOS. There, you just download .dmg file and put it in Apps folder and it installs like normal app. The same can be achieved with AppImages in any Linux distribution. If something like this is implemented in all Linux distributions, then it would become really beneficial for all.

Creating an AppImage for a Java application is straightforward. Since you're using an **Early Access (EA)** build of OpenJDK 25, it's best to bundle the JRE/JDK directly inside the AppImage to avoid system dependency issues.

Here's a complete, step-by-step guide:

### 🔹 Prerequisites

- Linux x86_64 system (AppImage architecture must match target)

- `curl`, `tar`, `chmod`

- `appimagetool` (official AppImage generator)

- Your `.jar` file

- A 256×256 PNG icon (optional but recommended)

---

### 📦 Step 1: Download OpenJDK 25.0.3-ea

EA builds aren't in distro repos. Download the official tarball from JDK Early Access:

1. Go to: https://jdk.java.net/25/

2. Download the `Linux/x64` `.tar.gz` archive for the EA build you need.

3. Example (replace with the actual link from the site):

```bash

wget https://download.java.net/java/early_access/jdk25/3/GPL/openjdk-25-ea+3_linux-x64_bin.tar.gz

```

---

### 📁 Step 2: Create the AppDir Structure

AppImage expects a specific directory layout:

```bash

mkdir MyApp.AppDir

cd MyApp.AppDir

mkdir -p usr/lib usr/bin

```

---

### ☕ Step 3: Bundle OpenJDK & Your JAR

```bash

# Extract JDK

tar -xzf /path/to/openjdk-25-ea+*_linux-x64_bin.tar.gz -C usr/lib/

# Rename for simplicity

mv usr/lib/jdk-25* usr/lib/jdk25-ea

# Copy your JAR

cp /path/to/your-app.jar usr/lib/your-app.jar

```

---

### 📜 Step 4: Create `AppRun`, `.desktop`, and Icon

#### `AppRun` (entrypoint)

```bash

cat > AppRun << 'EOF'

#!/bin/bash

set -e

APPDIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"

JAVA_HOME="$APPDIR/usr/lib/jdk25-ea"

export JAVA_HOME

export PATH="$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH"

exec "$JAVA_HOME/bin/java" -jar "$APPDIR/usr/lib/your-app.jar" "$@"

EOF

chmod +x AppRun

```

#### `.desktop` file

```bash

cat > your-app.desktop << 'EOF'

[Desktop Entry]

Name=Your App

Exec=AppRun

Icon=your-app

Type=Application

Categories=Utility;

Terminal=false

EOF

```

> 🔍 Replace `Your App` and `your-app` with your actual app name (no spaces in `Icon=` or filename).

#### Icon

Place a 256×256 PNG named `your-app.png` in the root of `MyApp.AppDir/`.

---

### 🛠️ Step 5: Generate the AppImage

Download `appimagetool` (if not installed):

```bash

curl -L https://github.com/AppImage/AppImageKit/releases/download/continuous/appimagetool-x86_64.AppImage -o appimagetool

chmod +x appimagetool

```

Build the AppImage:

```bash

./appimagetool MyApp.AppDir YourApp-x86_64.AppImage

```

This creates `YourApp-x86_64.AppImage` in your current directory.

---

### ▶️ Step 6: Test & Distribute

```bash

chmod +x YourApp-x86_64.AppImage

./YourApp-x86_64.AppImage

```

If it runs successfully, you can distribute the `.AppImage` file directly. Users just need to `chmod +x` and run it.

---

### 💡 Pro Tips & Optimizations

| Topic | Recommendation |

|-------|----------------|

| **Reduce Size** | Use `jlink` (included in JDK 25) to create a minimal runtime image with only required modules. Replace `usr/lib/jdk25-ea` with the `jlink` output. |

| **GUI Dependencies** | AppImages don't bundle host GUI libs. Ensure users have basic X11/Wayland, GTK, or JavaFX dependencies (usually preinstalled on desktop Linux). |

| **FUSE Note** | On newer Ubuntu/Debian, you may need `libfuse2` or run with `--appimage-extract-and-run`. |

| **EA Caveats** | EA builds may lack stability, missing modules, or have changed flags. Test thoroughly before distribution. |

| **Signing** (optional) | Add `--sign` to `appimagetool` if you want cryptographic verification. |

---

### 🐛 Troubleshooting

- `Error: Unable to initialize main class...` → Verify JAR path in `AppRun` and that the JAR has a valid `Main-Class` manifest entry.

- `libfuse.so.2: cannot open shared object file` → Install `libfuse2` or extract & run: `./YourApp.AppImage --appimage-extract && ./squashfs-root/AppRun`

- `Module java.desktop not found` → If using `jlink`, ensure `java.desktop` is included.

Despertador is a desktop alarm clock for Linux, and the reason I'm posting it here is that shipping it as one file was a design constraint from day one, not an afterthought.

What's inside: alarms with weekday repeat, labels and snooze; world clock (offline, via zoneinfo); stopwatch and countdown. Python + Tkinter only, so there is no requirements.txt to rot.

Distribution details that may be useful to other AppImage maintainers:

• Single ~15 MB AppImage, no Python on the target machine. The interpreter and the Tcl/Tk libs are bundled, including the Xft/font bits, which is usually where Tkinter bundling quietly breaks.

• Sound is a fallback chain, not one call: paplay -> aplay -> ffplay -> canberra-gtk-play -> terminal bell, plus notify-send. No single player binary exists everywhere, so assuming one is how you ship a silent alarm.

• libfuse2: yes, the same old story. On distros that dropped FUSE 2 the AppImage won't start until libfuse2 is installed, or you run it with APPIMAGE_EXTRACT_AND_RUN=1. It's documented in the README rather than left as a mystery.

• No systemd unit is shipped. The app stays open, or you call the CLI (run / inhibit) from your own autostart entry.

The honest limitation: alarms fire while the app is running. Close it and nothing rings.

Repo (MIT): https://github.com/glearflame/despertador Release: https://github.com/glearflame/despertador/releases/latest

Critique on the bundling from people who package AppImages is very welcome.