Running Linux desktop apps in containers 101 @ Digital Ocean Meetup Amsterdam March 22 2017

A Just for fun talk

While many developers use Linux containers to run web applications nowadays only a few have tried to run desktop applications in a container. Lucas, inspired by the work of giants like Jessie Frazelle, gave it a try and will share his experiences. This introductory talk will highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of containerizing, running and 'installing' desktop applications.

https://www.meetup.com/DigitalOceanAmsterdam/events/236671535/

Transcript

1. Hi Sharks! Containerizing Linux Desktop apps 101 @ Digital Ocean Amsterdam Meetup March 2017
2. Who am I? • Freelance developer • Co-organizer of DomCode • I refactor things • Find me on Twitter: @lucasvanlierop
3. I like to run things in containers ...
5. Because they’re straight forward
6. Because they’re always the best fit
7. Because it just works!
9. No really, why this talk? • It's fun to learn stuf • I like isolation! a.k.a. I just hate to have crap on my machine • I like to experiment • I like to organize
10. TODO: organize
11. Containers solve anarchy
12. Ok but... What has your garage to do with a computer?
13. I explained this part live using Duplo bricks part live using Duplo bricks I explained this part live using Duplo bricks part live using Duplo bricks
14. So what is container?
15. It’s a lonely place
16. But it has everything you need
17. What do you need to create a container? • It all starts with an image (distro + libraries + runtime + default config) • If your run an image it becomes a container (like class → object) • Can have dependencies like config, storage, networking
18. Advantages • Isolation • Safe to install • Easy to run multiple versions alongside each other • Safe to uninstall • You’ll learn a lot!! • Forces automating entire install process
19. Disadvantages • Finding out what a program need can be hard • Find out why a program doesn’t start can be hard • Example: Why are Skype logs disabled by default AND encryted ?!
20. It’s not always easy Containerized
21. Containerizing an desktop app • Is there an image you can customize? • If not is there a suitable base image? • If not just start with a base distro • No special tools should be required
22. Install • Create a ‘binary’ • Create a desktop configuration • Create a logo
23. Run • Let application run as yourself (uid/gid) • Share files the application needs to edit • Share (existing) config files • Store important config files in version control • Share devices (like display) • Sometimes enable inter process communication
24. Some live examples: • PHPStorm IDE • Git-Cola UI • System test using Selenium • Slack
25. More • https://github.com/lucasvanlierop/dockerfiles • https://github.com/lucasvanlierop/dotfiles/blob/master/ dockerfunc • https://github.com/jessfraz/dockerfiles
26. Questions, Suggestions, remarks?
27. Thanks!! If you have more questions: Twitter @lucasvanlierop