Ubuntu should provide a default graphical method to install technical packages (kernels, console apps, etc.)

Thanks but the software store is meant to be a simple UI to install desktop software, technical items might be installed by more technical ways (if you want to install a library or another kernel you should be fine using synaptic or such)

The whole purpose of GNOME Software is the ability to install only applications; packages with .desktop files. If you are experienced enough with other kind of packages; CLI, libraries, development or kernel, you should be comfortable using a terminal.

ok but just think like NORMAL people ! Example : How will they install gimp plugins ?!
They will have to do it the "windows" way or use a command line. Some of them... won't like it. Trust me, I'm installing and teaching to "normal" people everyday. The simple "additional content" section in softwares descriptions was a great "plus".

I'll make a Youtube tutorial on how use synaptic for my customers, but honestly, it's few ridiculous.
There should be an "advanced mode". Going back to grandpa synaptic is a regression.

OK. I agree with the plugins. software-center treats recommends and suggests as plugins to the application. I will change the bug title to reflect that.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

@amribrahim1987: that's not how AppStream works - treating Suggests/Recommends as "plugins" is a crude hack which happened to work relatively well thanks to Debian and Ubuntu developers doing a good job at packaging.
But still, this system is not very extensible and will also result in wrong matches or software e.g. suggesting language packs as "plugins".
GNOME Software can consume addon-type AppStream components though.

So, every software which is providing an addon to some (gui or non-GUI) app, just needs to drop some small bit of XML into /usr/share/appdata and it will show up in GS.
See https://www.freedesktop.org/software/appstream/docs/sect-Quickstart-Addons.html on a quick introduction into how to write that XML.

Does that solve this issue for you?

Another problem with this :

Skype in Partners depot. You can't see it. I supposed it's not well packaged...

Thanks Matthias. Now I understand. So a package like gimp-data-extras (which gimp suggests in Debian) needs to have a metainfo file defining that this software is an addon which extends the functionality of another software. It's defined here https://www.freedesktop.org/software/appstream/docs/sect-Metadata-Addon.html

Should the addon metainfo file be added by upstream in their sources or by Debian maintainers in their packages?

Ideally, upstream should ship (and translate) those files.
Debian maintainers should only add the files themselves if upstream rejects adding them (but so far, that did never happen).

For 16.04 we will probably need to take those upstream changes and patch our versions, so should out if you need help sponsoring there.

Also, first check if upstream already has the changes done.

That should say "shout out", not "should out"

IMO user still expect GUI to install non-GUI software packages, if GNOME/Ubuntu Software doesn't want to include it I'll instantly file a new bug to add another GUI package management software like Synaptic/Muon in default ubuntu desktop installation.

Thank you :-)

Le 21/04/2016 19:44, 林博仁 a écrit :
> IMO user still expect GUI to install non-GUI software packages, if
> GNOME/Ubuntu Software doesn't want to include it I'll instantly file a
> new bug to add another GUI package management software like
> Synaptic/Muon in default ubuntu desktop installation.
>
> ** Also affects: ubuntu-meta (Ubuntu)
> Importance: Undecided
> Status: New
>

--
Jaufré Aligé
http://jau-informatique.com
09 60 43 68 30

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

Additional case: User wanted to run Windows application using Wine, but they can't find it because the software component 'wine-*' isn't shown in the search results of Ubuntu/GNOME Software.

This is actually happened at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ubuntu.zh.hant/permalink/1138059266249394/ (Traditional Chinese facebook group)

I thoroughly read the bug report and believe that this bug should be split to two different bugs dealing with different issues:

1. Software packages that considered to be an application's addon(which is Jaufré, Amr, et.al discussed about)
2. Software packages that is rather a component of another application, software, or system(which is also-Jaufré and I mentioning)

If every one's fine with that I'll create a new bug to ubuntu-meta(or other package if applicable) dealing with 2. and leave this bug with the 1. topic.

buo-ren-lin please link the other bug when you have created it.

I think GNOME Software is the wrong choice for installing non-app system packages.
So, in total there are three choices:

1) Use GNOME PackageKit for local package installs
2) Use GDebi
3) Hack GNOME Software to make local package installations work somehow.

I think the problem here is not about only installing non-app packages; it's about browsing and searching for those packages. You can't search for CLI packages in GNOME Software, but you can in GNOME PackageKit and Synaptic.

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

As Matthias pointed out, GNOME Software especially in Ubuntu 17.04 already supports apps showing plugins. Please file a bug if you know of any plugins that are packaged in Ubuntu but are not showing up on the app description page. Please use the tag 'appstream' for these bugs.

You should be able to install drivers with Ubuntu's Software & Updates (software-properties-gtk) app.

Therefore, I updated this bug's title.