The Evolution of Linux Package Management: Choice and Contradiction

Linux is all about freedom and choice, and the evolution of the package management systems on Linux reflect that.

For someone coming to Linux from windows, package management is simple. But at the same time a new user could be faced with even more choices.

Do they choose a deb based system, an rpm system or even an Arch system? And what exactly does that mean?

And what about snaps, flatpaks and app images? Should they choose them over traditional packages or simply mix and match?

Choice is always good though isn't it?

Well, it depends. Choice is associated with freedom, and with freedom comes choice. But freedom also comes with responsibilities, and the main one is the responsibility to make choices for yourself.

Small wonder that Linux has so far has only managed to gain a 2-3% market share of the desktop. Over-whelming people with choice can be damaging.

So what is the alternative? Recommending one system only may encourage wider adoption but actively restricts freedom!

This video takes package management on Linux as an example of this. It briefly covers the history and evolution of package management on Linux before more widely considering questions about freedom itself.

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