ivan-hc/AM 9.9

"AM" 9.9

on GitHub

Clone and share your configurations and relocate AppMan apps

This release brings two brand new options: one to pre-clone your configuration or install someone else's, and another long-awaited option for many AppMan users, and others. But let's proceed in order.

Option clone or --clone

The clone or --clone option allows you to detect or create a file called "am-clone.source" from which AM/AppMan can obtain the information needed to install apps from one system to another. This allows you to choose whether to keep distinct system and local installations, or whether to install everything system-wide or locally.

File detection starts (in order of priority):

1. from the XDG_DESKTOP_DIR directory (usually Desktop)
2. from the HOME directory (any directory except Thrash)
3. from the entire system, starting from the root, and then from mounted devices (in case you want to install a configuration via USB stick)

If you want to create a new "am-clone.source" file, simply remove the other one or rename it.

This option supports both AM and third-party databases.

The basic command is

am clone

without arguments. This allows you to read the list.

By default, the new file is created in XDG_DESKTOP_DIR, or HOME as a fallback. It contains "dummy" paths to allow AM/AppMan to distinguish between locally and system-wide installed apps (depending on whether the line starts with /opt or not).

You can also set a different file by exporting the "$CLONE_FILE" variable and specifying a path and a text file with a different name, for example

export CLONE_FILE="/path/to/your/file.txt"

But make sure the paths begin with /opt if you want system installations.

But what we've seen so far is just a basic way to view and/or create/use the list.

The new clone option also supports flags.

To install the listed apps in their original layout, run

am clone -i

or

am clone install

A confirmation prompt will appear.

In AM, to install everything locally like AppMan, add the --user flag

am clone -i --user

While to install everything at system level, add the --system flag

am clone -i --system

Of course, AppMan only supports local installations, no apps will require root privileges or system installations.

Option relocate or --relocate

In AM, programs are always installed in /opt, following the LSB (Linux Standard Base) specifications. It is not possible to change this path.

In contrast, AppMan and "AM" in AppMan mode can install all programs locally or in non-privileged locations, chosen by the user. No root password is required for this.

The path chosen at first launch is specified in the $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/appman/appman-config file. Editing this file directly disconnects AM and AppMan from that location, thus removing any interaction with locally installed programs.

Furthermore, installed programs all have a symbolic link and (often) a .desktop file, which breaks if the program directory is moved.

The only solution is to run the relocate or --relocate option, which will allow you to:

1. Identify local apps installed, even from third-party databases
2. Remove these apps, noting the scripts used to install them
3. Choose a different location to install the apps
4. Reinstall the previously removed apps in the new location indicated

All this requires your confirmation in the prompt that appears.

Just run

am relocate

or

am --relocate

or

appman relocate

or

appman --relocate

This is definitely the option that many AppMan users have been waiting for.

Among other changes

• Removed all "zsync" mentions from AppImage's stuff by @ivan-hc in #1768
• The file command is now an optional dependency, so AM can run also on Maemo Leste by @ivan-hc in #1771
• Now updating third-party database lists is faster by @ivan-hc in #1774
• Replaced gnome-calculator with the one from Pkgforge's repo by @fiftydinar in #1776
• Fix to gpu-screen-recorder script by @Samueru-sama in #1779
• Option -f, startup times reduced by @ivan-hc in #1781
• Removed all Pake apps by @ivan-hc in #1792
• Fix puddletag script by @Samueru-sama in #1794
• Now the option -t no longer creates catalog pages (they are created in automatic via github actions) by @ivan-hc in #1806
• "AM" 9.9 - clone configurations and relocate AppMan apps by @ivan-hc in #1818

New Contributors

• @tsuri21 made their first contribution in #1764
• @andy5995 made their first contribution in #1770
• @yzctzl made their first contribution in #1791

Full Changelog: 9.8.2...9.9