Tag Archive

KDE: Why KDE snaps Love KDE neon and the Big Move.

Posted on October 5, 2023 by sgmoore

KDE neon
KDE neon

KDE neon:

KDE neon is extremely important to the KDE snaps eco-system as I briefly mentioned in my last post.

Why? KDE neon is based on Jammy LTS which is the same as Core 22 base for snaps. Neon has a very useful continuous integration system in place that tests all the things, including dependencies, qml, cmake errors, debian packaging lintian tool and the list go on. This is very important to get packages out that don’t break things on user desktops. Once the packages are a lovely shade of green on the neon CI ( or at least all the important issues are resolved ) it is in good shape for snapping. I have scripts that pull the build and runtime dependency information for our application package to use in the snapcraft.yaml. We know this list is complete, because it passed the tests!

As applications gain features, they requires newer dependencies than what is provided in the ubuntu jammy repositories. Neon builds those newer dependencies and provides them to our users in the neon aptly repositories. It is much easier and more reliable than tracking down PPAs and hoping they stay maintained. We use the neon user edition repository in our snapcraft file to ensure we are up to date on KDE applications dependency needs.

This week my work in Neon included turning jobs green and fixing kio-gdrive which is still qt5, but it’s dependency libkgapi is qt6! We have to provide both versions in cases like this which entails tracking both master and the qt5 release branch.

Snaps:

KMymoney 5.1

This week begun the big transition from single repository remote-builds to per repository snapcraft and using snap recipes on launchpad. This is an important move for a couple of reasons. We were having major issues with build failures as I pointed out in this bug report on launchpad: https://bugs.launchpad.net/launchpad/+bug/2031307 . This was due to the way remote-build works. It creates temporary snap recipes that builds once and sends back the snap or failure status. This made it very difficult to debug build failures as once the failure status was sent the job disappeared off of launchpad, taking all build logs with it.

Now with the per repository snapcraft files, I have set up proper snap recipes on launchpad and the builds are automated by polling the github mirror for changes and it publishes the shiny new snap to candidate for testing or sends me the failure log that I can view at my convenience.

This of course is a work in progress as we have 186 snaps currently and there are a few steps to get each one done. But once it is done, it will reduce my workload immensely and make debugging build issues faster.

While making the move, I am also updating the snapcraft files for changes within snapcraft, adding cleanup to decrease bloat and fixing bugs!

Snap move complete:

  • KMymoney 5.1: Fixed issue where hitting calculator button did nothing. It now launches a kcalc snap.
  • Blinken 23.08.1
  • Artikulate 23.08.1: This is now shipped with courses from https://invent.kde.org/education/artikulate-data
  • Bomber 23.08.1
  • Bovo 23.08.1
  • Alligator 23.08.1: Added missing qml dependencies.
  • Angelfish 23.08.1: Added missing qml dependencies.
  • Arianna 23.08.1
Artikulate with Courses

Current WIP: Audiotube, Digikam, Cantor, Neochat

I also made a new content pack with KDE frameworks 5.110, but a new Qt 5.15.11 was just released so I will be making a new one tomorrow.

The kf6 content snap has come to a halt as the qt6 content snap has stalled. I asked to be given access to the snapcraft file so that I may collaborate, but have not heard back.

My mysterious project has reached its end for me. I might get a part time gig doing snaps out of it, but I do not meet the requirements to do any of the engineering of it. It is what it is. Thank you to all who vouched for me, alas it wasn’t meant to be.

If you can spare some change, I would appreciate it, especially to pay my phone/Internet bill so I can do more Neon and snaps 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.

Donate https://gofund.me/b8b69e54

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KDE: Another Busy Week! KDE neon, Debian, Snaps Oh My!

Posted on September 29, 2023 by sgmoore

Witch Wells Az
KDE Plasma 6
KDE Plasma 6

I would like to welcome you to my revamped site. It is still a work in progress, so please be patient while I work out the kinks! I have also explained a bit more about myself in my About Me page for those that may have questions about my homesteader lifestyle. Check it out when you have time.

My site is mostly my adventures in packaging software in Linux in a variety of formats ( mostly Debian and Ubuntu Snaps containerized packages ). This keeps me very busy, as folks don’t realize the importance of packaging. Without it, applications remain in source code form which isn’t very usable by the users! While turning the source code into something user friendly we often run into issues and work with upstream ( I am a very strong believer in upstream first ) to resolve any issues. This makes for a better user experience and less buggy software. Workarounds are very hard to maintain and thus fixing it right the first time is the best path! With this said, while I am not strong in any one programming language ( Well maybe Ruby from my CI tooling background ) I am versed in many languages, as I have to understand the code that I am filing bug reports for! We have to have a strong knowledge of being able to understand build failures, debug runtime failures and most importantly we have to be able to fix them, or find the resources to assist in fixing them. As most of you know I am KDE’s biggest fan ( There is nothing wrong with Gnome, its a great platform ). So a big portion of my work is dedicated to KDE. A fantastic tool for working on my KDE packaging has been KDE Neon! With the developer version I have all the tools necessary to debug and fix issues that arise. There is also the added bonus of living on the edge and finding out runtime issues right away!

That is enough about me for now and on to my weekly round up!

KDE neon:

Carlos ( check out his new blog! https://www.ethicalconstruct.au/dotclear_blog/ ) and I have been very busy with another round of KDE applications making the move to Qt6. We have finished KDE PIM and KDE Games in Neon/unstable!

I have worked out issues with print-manager and re-enabled it in experimental as it’s qt6 development is still happening in kf6 branch. Instructions here: https://blog.neon.kde.org/2023/08/04/announcing-kde-neon-experimental/

Fixed issues with a broken kscreenlocker and missing window decorations. You can now safely leave your computer and not worry about that dreaded black screen.

Debian:

I have uploaded the newest squashfuse to unstable.

I have uploaded another NEW dependency for bubblegum golang-github-alecthomas-mango-kong-dev

Ubuntu Snaps:

This week continues working closely with Jarred Wilson of Canonical in getting his Qt6 content snap in shape for use with my KDE Frameworks 6 snap ( an essential snap to move forward with our next generation Qt6 applications and of course the Plasma snap.

I spent some time debugging the neochat snap and fixed some QML issues, but I am now facing issues with wayland. It now works fine for those of us still on X11. I will continue working out wayland.

Thank you!

I rely on donations to upkeep my everyday living and so far thanks to each and every one of you I have survived almost a full year! It has been scary from time to time, but I am surviving. Until my snap project goes through I must rely on the kindness of my supporters. The proceeds of my donations goes to the following:

  • Car payment
  • Car insurance
  • Land Payment
  • Gas for vehicles ( car for errands, truck to haul water )
  • Propane
  • Food
  • Phone / Internet ( Very important in this line of work! )
  • Pet Food ( Yes we have a few )
  • Misc everyday living supplies ( shampoo etc )

I have joined the kool kids and moved to Donorbox for donations.

Donate

I still have Gofundme for those that don’t want to signup for yetanotherdonationplatform.

https://gofund.me/b8b69e54

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KDE: Weekly report and News, 23.08.0 Snaps call for testing!

Posted on September 1, 2023 by sgmoore

Another busy week in the KDE snap world. Most of the release-service apps are in –candidate channel waiting to be tested. Testing is the bottle neck in the process, so I am trying something new and calling for help! Please test your favorite apps and report on https://discuss.kde.org/t/all-things-snaps-questions-concerns-praise/ any issues and which apps tested. Thanks!

There are some very big fixes in this release:

  • Desktop file defined so xdg-desktop-portals will now work.
  • Print support in many apps where it made sense. Please let me know if I missed one.

The KF6 content pack is coming along nicely using qt-framework-sdk snap!

Qt5 content snap using KDE patch set is nearly complete!

I believe I have a solution for our PIM applications by creating an Akondai dbus provider snap and setting all the PIM applications as consumers. I am waiting for manual review to pass.

I have a pile of new applications waiting for reserved name approvals. Igor has pinged the relevant people to speed this normally quick process up.

The pushback on per repository snapcraft files has stopped, so I have begun the process, which will take some time. This is a huge step in automating snap builds and cutting down my manual work so I can do more exciting things like plasma snaps!

Some big news on my project, a big thank you goes out to Kevin Ottens for reaching out, his company does exactly what I need to move it forward. I will update as we hash out the details, but it looks like my project isn’t dead after all!

I know many have asked “Why haven’t you given up already??” The answer in short, I am stubborn. I refuse to give up on anything until I am given a good reason to. When I started my path in computers oh so many years ago, you would be surprised how many people told me to give it up, you’ll never make it as a woman. Challenge accepted. Here I am, still going strong. When I want something, I go get it, no matter what it takes!

I still need to have a ( somewhat desperate ) call for donations. This will hopefully end soon, but for now, please consider donating to my September survival fund! Please share with anyone you that may find my work useful in any way. Thanks for your consideration 🙂

PS: Debian uploads for bubble-gum are moving along. Please if you have any packaging you need done in Debian proper, let me know and I will get on it, time allowing of course.

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Snowstorms, Kittens and Shattered dreams

Posted on February 24, 2023 by sgmoore

Icy morning Witch Wells Az
Icy morning Witch Wells Az
Icy morning Witch Wells Az

Long ago I applied for my dream job at a company I have wanted to wok for since its beginning and I wasn’t ready technically. Fast forward to now, I am ready! A big thank you goes out to Blue Systems for that. So I go out and find the perfect role and start the application process. The process was months long, but was going very well, the interviews and I passed the technical with flying colors. I got to the end where the hiring lead told me he was submitting my offer… I was so excited, so much so, I told my husband and parents “I got the job!” I know, I jinxed myself there. Soon I receive the “There was a problem”.. One obscure assessment called GIA came back not so good. I remember that day, we were in the middle of a long series of winter storms and I when I took the test, my kitten decided right then it was me time. I couldn’t very well throw her out into the snowstorm, so I continued on the best I could. It is my fault, it clearly states to be distraction free. So I speak again to the hiring lead and we both feel with my experience and technical knowledge and abilities we can still move forward. I still had hope. After some time passes, I asked for an update and got the dreaded rejection. I am told it wasn’t just the GIA, but that I am not a good overall fit for the company. In one fell swoop my dreams are dashed and final, for this and all roles within that company. I wasn’t given a reason either. I am devastated, heart broken, and shocked. I get along with everyone, I exceed the technical requirements, and I work well in the community. Dream door closed.

I will not let this get me down. I am moving on. I will find my place where I ‘fit in’.

With that said, I no longer have the will, passion, or drive to work on snaps anymore. I will leave instructions with Jonathon as to what needs to be done to move forward. The good news is my core22 kde-neon extension was merged into upstream snapcraft, so whomever takes over will have a much easier time knocking them out. @kubuntu-council I will do whatever it takes to pay back the money for the hardware you provided me to do snaps, I am truly sorry about this.

What does my future hold? I will still continue with my Debian efforts. In fact, I have ventured out from the KDE umbrella and joined the go-team. I am finalizing my packaging for

https://github.com/charmbracelet/gum

and it’s dependencies: roff, mango, mango-kong. I had my first golang patch for a failing test and have submitted it upstream. I will upload these to experimental while the freeze is on.

I will be moving all the libraries in the mycroft team to the python umbrella as they are useful for other things and mycroft is no more.

During the holidays I was tinkering around with selenium UI testing and stumbled on some accessibility issues within KDE, so I think this is a good place for me to dive into for my KDE contributions.

I have been approached to collaborate with OpenOS on a few things, time permitting I will see what I can do there.

I have a possible gig to do some websites, while I move forward in my job hunt.

I will not give up! I will find my place where I ‘fit in’.

Meanwhile, I must ask for donations to get us by. Anything helps, thank you for your consideration.

https://gofund.me/a9c36b87

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