Description
Distribute helium as a homebrew cask to allow easier use on immutable systems
Who's implementing?
The problem
Currently, helium is distributed as a native package for rpm and deb based systems, along with an AppImage and a binary tar. The native packages work well for traditional Linux systems, but leave immutable systems with the AppImage and tar as the only options. These aren't great as both formats don't integrate well with desktop environments by default, and both lack ways to automatically update.
Possible solutions
Since a Flatpak release has been ruled out due to issues with the chromium sandbox, distributing as a homebrew cask could be a good compromise. A helium cask would be based on the tar release, but be managed by homebrew, letting it update automatically and integrate with the desktop (homebrew can copy the .desktop file and icon into the user's home directory so it shows up with other applications) .
Homebrew comes pre-packaged on Universal Blue images (Bazzite, Bluefin, Aurora), so it would be a good option for users on those immutable systems, and is pretty easy to get on other systems, so it should be viable for a lot of people to use.
I've made my own helium tap/cask, so i'd be able to help upstream it into the main homebrew cask tap or a custom tap controlled by the helium team.
Even if this isn't done, I just want to say thanks for making a great browser!
Additional context
No response
Description
Distribute helium as a homebrew cask to allow easier use on immutable systems
Who's implementing?
The problem
Currently, helium is distributed as a native package for rpm and deb based systems, along with an AppImage and a binary tar. The native packages work well for traditional Linux systems, but leave immutable systems with the AppImage and tar as the only options. These aren't great as both formats don't integrate well with desktop environments by default, and both lack ways to automatically update.
Possible solutions
Since a Flatpak release has been ruled out due to issues with the chromium sandbox, distributing as a homebrew cask could be a good compromise. A helium cask would be based on the tar release, but be managed by homebrew, letting it update automatically and integrate with the desktop (homebrew can copy the .desktop file and icon into the user's home directory so it shows up with other applications) .
Homebrew comes pre-packaged on Universal Blue images (Bazzite, Bluefin, Aurora), so it would be a good option for users on those immutable systems, and is pretty easy to get on other systems, so it should be viable for a lot of people to use.
I've made my own helium tap/cask, so i'd be able to help upstream it into the main homebrew cask tap or a custom tap controlled by the helium team.
Even if this isn't done, I just want to say thanks for making a great browser!
Additional context
No response