Desktop App for Linux – Requirements?
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Could aynone please tell me what version(s) of Ubuntu the WordPress.com desktop app for Linux has been tested with? Would be grateful for concrete information. Thanks very much.
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hi again @dawntreader72014, I’ll see what I can find on that. If it helps, the desktop apps are all built in Electron. This Stack Overflow thread about its requirements may be helpful:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/36306450/what-is-minimum-system-requirements-to-run-electron-appsYou can also read about our automated testing here:
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Thanks for your reply. There may be a problem in that the info needed by the average end user is missing. What I mean is that for any given application, there are typically 3 kinds of information supplied:
1. Developer-speak: High end technical info found on github or stackoverflow which is above the heads of average users.
2. End-user speak: A fairly clear, concise description of what OS and hardware the end user actually needs to run the app.
3. Marketing-speak: Download our app! It just magically works! You don’t need to know anything! (stated or implied)
WordPress.com seems to have 1. and 3. covered, but what’s needed by most end users is 2.
Trying to piece together such information as I can, end user information might look something like this:
Linux Desktop App – System Requirements
Hardware: Computer with Intel 64-bit or AMD 64-bit processor and at least 1 GB of RAM.
Software: Ubuntu 12.04 64-bit. Later versions of Ubuntu may also work, but have not received real world testing by humans. Debian 8 and Fedora 21 may also work, but likewise have not been tested.
————Based on my reading of the technical documents you linked to, it appears that WordPress.com could compile a 32-bit version of the Linux app, but has chosen not to. Or am I misunderstanding something?
If the supplied app is 64-bit only, then the system requirements need to specify 64-bit hardware and a 64-bit OS. Most Pentium 4’s are 32-bit and would not qualify.
Likewise, if the app requires a 64-bit OS, then suggesting at least 1 GB of ram seems reasonable, since running 64 bits with less than 1 GB ram tends to be deprecated.
Again, this is guesswork on my part because WordPress.com is not providing the basic info usually considered essential for software intended to be adopted by the general public. This software doesn’t just magically work, which is why I’m asking who tested it on what platform(s). Thank you.
Just to clarify:
– The Electron minimum requirements are based on 32-bit, but are deceptive if the app in question (built on Electron) is only supplied as 64-bit.
– There is no substitute for real world testing by humans on a variety of platforms.
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@dawntreader72014 thanks for the feedback. In this case I’m responding to you personally, I understand that link probably wouldn’t help an average user but you seem to get the technical stuff. I’ll ask to have system requirements listed and I’ll check with the linux app team about a 32 bit version. Thanks!
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@supernovia thanks for your help. I’m sure many bloggers would be grateful for clearer info about these new apps. Providing better info may also help in marketing the apps and getting end users to adopt them.
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