Ok we’re talking at cross purposes.

Yes, mullvad has a noble repo, it doesnt have a xia repo (which is the mint equivalent version name)

Attempting to add the mullvad repo using the old ubuntu instructions failed because noble =/= xia

Yes you can work around that but its not beginner level.

Op asked if Flatpaks was the answer whivh imho it isnt, the best answer is downloading the .deb

Really sorry, it’s too long ago to remember the exact error,

but IIRC

when you followed the ubuntu instructions for adding the repository it would kick an error because the command included a reference to noble and mint os name is xia so the contents of the osrelease when checked didnt match and it threw an error.

Could be wrong, I didnt document it.

The work around was to edit the commands.

All a moot point now as

a) the instructions now on the mullvad site don’t reference noble and

b) mullvad now appears to be in the mint store (which is how you should always install if possible

Not correct, only true if you’ve manually added the repo

Further to this, mullvad vpn and browser are now in the Mint store.

Download and install from there

EDIT

Apols, they’re not, I checked on the machine I had faffed around with to get the mullvad repo working. Please ignore

It’s reasonable advice. Mullvad is literally the only time I’ve found the ubuntu instructions to not work on mint

Where does mullvad say it’s not meant to be used on Mint ? I literally have it running on 5 mint devices.

Can’t see that on their website at a quick search

Saying it is not supported is not the same as not meant to be used

In fact to the contrary this references install for mint

https://mullvad.net/en/help/install-mullvad-app-linux

Got to the section that says

“Download and install the app”

For a command line explanation

Honestly though just download the .deb and double click on it out of the folder to get debi to install. It’s all gui and easy

Doesn’t always work - for example the mullvad browser won’t install on mint with the ubuntu instructions as OS version gets reported as Xia not noble (if I’m recalling the issue correctly it was 6-9 months ago)

Yes you can amend the commands to get it to work but it’s definitely not beginner level, I had to faff around for an hour or so before I worked it out

For mullvad vpn the client will tell you when there’s an update available by a very obvious flag in the app that you click on to download it then click/double click on the file out of the downloads to get debi to install it.

To answer the broader question, where ever possible install apps via software manager, that way they are updated with apt / update manager.

I would suggest using flatpacks sparingly as they are disk hogs.

True we say 15th September, not 15 September

Yes. There’s numerous live examples which have been in place for years (Horndale South Australia for example)

Putin has transparently murdered dozens of people far more important to the West without being toppled.

Russia’s newly displayed military impotence shifts the calculus, but Prighozin isn’t the guy to cause an international uproar.

That isn’t however the argument the article is making (noting I’m rather dubious on it).

They’re not arguing that NATO will suddenly invade because Pringles got SAM’d.

They’re arguing that a) the Wagner lieutenants are competent and experienced which makes it likely that they are not only capable but likely to be effective at seeking vengeance; and b) that Putin has systematically culled all the competent generals and hence there’s a reduced capability.

Now I’m dubious on the likelihood of the first, and while the second is true I’m not as convinced it will be a game changer.

With any luck this was instead of diddling the choir boys, if so then have at it.

Sure, it’s been a while since China had to protect its currency from negative pressure, and it’s in reuters because it’s a clear market signal. However a softening economy isn’t unusual generally, just a first in decades for China.

It’s as much a sign that as a country they’re maturing past the developing country growth wave they’ve been on, and hitting the cycles that developed nations need to manage. Couple that with a trade war with the US slowing down key parts of the economy and it’s notable but not surprising.

Those predicting a wholesale economic collapse will however be just as disappointed as they were 12months ago when predicting a real estate lead crash.

Fairly standard central bank activity, nothing unusual in and of itself.

Russia also targets civilians, hospitals and pizzerias, there is no safe place in Ukraine.

The South African government is aligned to Russia and China despite the general population having strong ties with the West.It’s all about the Chinese backhanders.

Corrupt leaders gunna do what corrupt leaders do.

Tuba is in the AUR