Weird issue here that just recently started... I use Slack frequently. Often I post a URL into Slack as a message and then click that link to open it in an browser. (Default browser is Brave.) It normally happens almost instantly. Now when I click the link, it takes at least 2-3 mins before it actually open. Long after I've gotten frustrated and just copy/pasted into a browser. (I just tested changing the default browser to Firefox and it opens instantly. Change back to Brave, same lag issue.)
Similarly, video files when trying to open them with the default player (which is VLC) delay to open. (But if I change the default player to the native video player, no lag whatsoever.)
At least for Brave, searching brave slow on opening external links it looks a known issue, it has been reported frequently. And you can see the package type of your software on GNOME Software > Installed > open the page of the software.
Like @Luca_Pavan wrote You can look in Gnome Software Store what is installed. Another Option ist to use the Terminal. ther you can type flatpak list to look what Flatpaks do you have installed or snap list for snap Packages.
Brave should be a Flatpak when you have install it from the Software Store because for the .deb version you have to go to the Brave Website. Firefox can be both, VLC theoretically, too.
The thing ist: Flatpaks and Snap's are running in container's. So they don't have limited Permissions. That can make sometimes Issues when working with other Stuff together.
To solve that, you could use a Tool called Flatseal to set up Permissions for Flatpaks or you use the .deb Versions.
Circling back on this... it would seem that anything that's not installed via terminal with the apt prefix is the thing at fault. When I got rid of the software store installed Slack and installed via Terminal, no problem. Same with Flameshot and others. Up to now, I've been happy to use those versions. They're snappy and just seem to work.
HOWEVER, the terminal install of Flameshot isn't as advanced as the one installed via the store and I need some of those advanced features. Any ideas on how to fix this? Could it be that I'm on Zorin 15 and just need to upgrade?
Well, 15.3 but it probably doesn't matter much. Yes, I'm aware I need to update and wish to, but I'm dragging my feet because I had a bit of trouble installing Zorin to begin with and this is my work computer. Just never a great time to do it and potentially have it take a dump while I wait for the good people of this forum to help me fix it lol
When You take Flameshot from the Software Store it could be the Flatpak Version. When You install it over the Terminal it is the .deb Version which is older. So, there can be missing some Functions.
On Zorin 17 there is .deb Version 11.0.0-2 available over the Terminal.
I'm sure there's some information out there about this, but is there a way to keep all of my login data? Eg. Brave browser has 3 profiles and a bunch of addons, I have Slack installed and loggedin, I have Insync installed with several users logged in, etc. Any way I can keep all this stuff? Or is it not advisable to do so anyway?
Wow, okay that was way easier than I'd anticipated lol. So I upgraded automatically to 16.3 and then to 17.1... However it said there was some error... now my software store won't open up. I'm still getting a very slow load time when I choose to open Signal, for instance. Just seems like things went maybe a bit screwy and the issue I was hoping would be resolved hasn't been. Anyone have any ideas?
How much does it takes to open? For example to me it's normal that Firefox takes about 30 seconds to open knowing my laptop power, the first time I launch it it's slow but other times it opens almost immediately. It's slow only the first time it's launched per session though.
Managed to fix this one. I used ChatGPT to help me completely strip the computer of Signal and then reloaded using something other than flatpack or snap. I don't think it's the specs.
However, if you good people want to jump on my other question that'd be amazing. I'm close to stripping the whole computer of Zorin and starting over. But, ChatGPT seems to think that my BIOS might not be adequate for 17.1??
Anyone have any ideas?