Ubuntu Snaps and Bash on Windows Server

IoT Shift

Ubuntu's strategic pivot towards IoT and embedded devices marks a significant shift in its vision. Dustin Kirkland explains that while the Ubuntu phone project has ended, its technological advancements live on in the IoT space, powering devices like Mycroft, an open-source digital assistant 1. This transition highlights the importance of open-source software in ensuring security and privacy across various devices, from routers to medical equipment 2.

The ghost of the mobile phone is in IoT devices.

--- Jerod Santo

Kirkland emphasizes that Ubuntu Core aims to solve the problem of outdated software on devices, offering secure, automatic updates similar to those on Ubuntu systems 1.

   

Snap Packaging

Snap packaging represents a modern approach to software distribution, evolving from Ubuntu's mobile efforts. Dustin Kirkland describes Snaps as a versatile packaging format that can be used for various applications, from desktop apps to server software like databases and web servers 3. This format simplifies the development process by bundling all necessary files, contrasting with traditional shared libraries, and aligns with the trend towards static compilation seen in languages like Golang 3.

Snaps are much more general purpose and we can use those to package any service or application.

--- Dustin Kirkland

The introduction of Snapd, a lightweight service, ensures compatibility across different Linux distributions, making Snaps a flexible solution for developers 3.