Do Linux users installing software actually have a "discovery problem"? The usual solution is to go to google.com and find in-depth information on the options available for a given class of software, with user reviews, notes on strengths and shortcomings, etc. I have never visited a store first on a desktop OS, and even average users of mobile OS' that I know will fire up Google first if they're actually trying to find the best implementation of X app. I don't know a single person that has anything good to say about the Windows app store.
The Year of the Linux Desktop isn't now, and it may never happen. Even if it does, I don't think any of the hypothetical "normie" Linux users would really care for it all that much. Trying to be the devil's advocate for things like the Snap store benefits a group of users that doesn't exist in any timeline at the expense of current users in this timeline.
Absolutely, when I want to find something, the first thing I will do is DNF search. It's amazing how much you can find and so quickly. It sorts in a smart way as well, where exact matches will appear first, then partial matches on the package name, and then metadata. This makes it quick and easy to see if what I want is there.
When searching on Google, I have to look through a bunch of crappy results from SEO optimized crap. Then when I find something that looks interesting, I have to see if it's packaged for Fedora or not. If not, then I have to hunt down either a GitHub page or look for a RPM file or a flat pack or app image. I won't use a snap even if it's the only distribution method.
There's also a very convenient way of checking for popularity, which doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad pic, but if the package is popular enough that somebody has packaged it for Fedora and maintains the package, there's a very high chance that it will work as needed.
If you don't currently check the apt or DNF repos first, I would definitely recommend doing so.
I do need t think discovery is the same problem any more. You can search for self hosted snaps about as well as you can within the snap store. However, trust can be an issue which has solutions that come at the cost of speed and storage.
Yea, don't bucket Linux users in with typical Google and Apple store users. I need no help "discovering" software through some companies arbitrary filter. I can use google, github, hacker news, etc.
That's a different problem to where the packages are hosted. You can host your own packages and get added to an official aggregator. Said aggregator can function as an automatic verification system to assure people that your software is not compromised, has been updated recently, etc.
