How to install Raven RSS Reader on Linux
Raven Reader is a beautiful, cross-platform RSS reading application. It is open source, built with modern web technologies and makes catching up with news over RSS a breeze.
In this guide, we’ll go over how to install Raven RSS Reader on Linux. To use Raven RSS Reader on Linux, you must be able to download and run AppImages or run and install Snap packages in Dev mode.
Install Raven RSS via AppImage
Raven RSS developers have chosen to go the AppImage route when supporting Linux users because it takes out the headache of packaging formats (such as DEB, RPM, and many others). In this section of the guide, we’ll show you how to get the AppImage version of the app working on your Linux PC.
Installing Raven RSS on Linux via AppImage is quite an easy process, and it starts by launching a terminal window. To do that, press Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T on the keyboard.
Once you’ve got a terminal window open you can use the wget command to download the latest release of Raven RSS reader for Linux.
Note: Wget is a common command-line downloading application for Linux. It should be already up and running on your Linux PC. If it isn’t, you can learn about how to get it installed by visiting this link.
wget https://github.com/mrgodhani/raven-reader/releases/download/v0.3.8/raven-reader-0.3.8-x86_64.AppImage
Let the Wget app download the Raven RSS app image to your Linux PC. Once the file is done downloading, use the mkdir command and create a new folder with the label of “AppImages.”
mkdir -p ~/AppImages
Use the mv command and place the newly downloaded Raven RSS AppImage file in the AppImages directory you just created. Putting the file here will ensure that you don’t accidentally delete the file and lose access to your feeds.
mv raven-reader-0.3.8-x86_64.AppImage ~/AppImages
With the file in the AppImage folder, it’s time to update the Raven Reader AppImage’s permissions, so that it can be launched on your Linux PC.
cd ~/AppImages sudo chmod +x raven-reader-0.3.8-x86_64.AppImage
With the permissions up to date, run it for the first time using the following execution command.
./raven-reader-0.3.8-x86_64.AppImage
When you run the command above to start Raven Reader for the first time, a message will appear that says “Would you like to integrate raven-reader-0.3.8-x86_64.AppImage with your system?”.
Select “Yes,” and it will create an application shortcut on your Linux PC’s application menu.
Install Raven RSS Reader via Snap package
On the developer’s website, the only Linux support that is referenced is an AppImage. However, if you go to the project’s GitHub page, you’ll see that they have a downloadable Snap package version.
Having a Snap package of the App available is quite exciting, and it’s sure to enable anyone to quickly get Raven up and running without needing to hassle with AppImages, permissions and all that. With that said, it’s not like other Snap packages and isn’t in the Snap store. Instead, if you want to get the Snap version, you must download a stand-alone Snap file.
To start the installation process, launch a terminal window. The fastest way to launch a terminal is by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T on the keyboard.
Once you’ve got a terminal window open, it’s time to use the wget command to download the latest Snap file from the developer’s GitHub release page.
wget https://github.com/mrgodhani/raven-reader/releases/download/v0.3.8/raven-reader_0.3.8_amd64.snap
With the latest Raven Reader Snap package done downloading via wget on your Linux computer, it’s time to use the snap install command.
Note: you must use the “devmode” flag with this installation, as it’s a Standalone, unsigned Snap package.
sudo snap install raven-reader_0.3.8_amd64.snap --devmode
Let the Snap installation process set up and activate the Raven Reader application. When it’s done, you’ll be able to launch the app from the app menu on the Linux desktop.
Updating Raven Reader via Snap
Even though the Raven Reader application is installed as a Snap, you’ll still have issues updating it, as the app isn’t in the Snap store.
To update the Raven Reader Snap, follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Step 1: Go to the Raven Reader release page on Github and download the latest Snap release to your computer.
Step 2: Use the CD command and move the terminal session into the Downloads folder.
cd ~/Downloads
Step 3: Get rid of the current version of Raven on your computer. Be sure to back up your settings before doing this!
sudo snap remove raven-reader
Step 4: Install the new Snap file using the snap install command. Be sure to use the “devmode” switch, or the Snap file will refuse to install due to errors!
sudo snap install raven-reader_*_amd64.snap --devmode
