Should I use 'Zorin OS' as default install method?

General Help
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One of the challenges I've faced coming to Linux has been knowing what install option to use. For example, via the Software app, Geary has two options of 'Zorin OS' and 'Flatpak'.

I initially decided to follow each apps recommendation, with my rationale to defer to their guidance (and me still being on training wheels). Again with Geary, their documentation states "recommended way to install Geary is to install the Flatpak package" - Apps/Geary/FAQ – GNOME Wiki Archive.

Installing the above was fine, but in use the app would intermittently crash. Moving to 'Zorin OS' has stopped the crashes.

In general, not Geary specifically:

  1. Should I install using Zorin OS as the default method if the option is there?
  2. Why is the recommended way to install the software not always the ideal method in use? Does this have something to do with Zorin OS not being based on the latest Linux base?
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  1. yes, that is recommended. Zorin packages are better integrated in the system and have no problems with permissions.
  2. For developer it is easier to create only one package as e.g. flatpak that can use all linux distributions. So this packages are often more up-to-date and give you the newest functions of a software. When you don't need the newest functions and want to have less problems then use the original packages of Zorin. These are better tested that they work with the special distribution and need less space on your disk.
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Recommendations... are not always about what is best for you.
Something can be recommended by another, if it is their want.

If performance and stability is your aim: Use the Zorin OS source; Debian packages.

If you need a Latest package for something... Maybe an earlier release lacks a feature or a bug release, you can choose Flatpak.

So... Why does the Gnome Software Store recommend Flatpak - always? Why is it the default source?
Because Flatpak is Gnomes' own project. They developed it - it competes with the Stable Debian and with Canonical's Snap packages.
They recommend it because they want you to be as Tied to Them as you used to be to Microsoft.

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Does this mean that the 'Zorin OS' source option is the same as the Debian package (relevant to the Ubuntu 22.04 base) renamed?

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Yes, that ties to the Main Universe repository. For Zorin OS 17: Jammy
If you step into third party repositories, you must adhere to Jammy releases there, as well.

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