At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we need a consistent standard across Linux distributions. This "do your own thing" in terms of package managers is killing us. .deb will not run on .rpm, will not run on AUR or Pacman, will not run on Slackpackage, etc. We need a consistent standard which resolves all dependencies, handles .deb, .rpm, Pacman, etc. We have got to get serious about standards for packages, but each group is in their own little walled garden and refuses to help the other for fear of losing their "special-ness". See here:
viewtopic.php?f=61&t=360938&start=160 Linus and Luke address it well in that there are too many competing standards, and this hurts us as a community.
As one of those who remembers dependency h*ll, and having to suffer the agonies of not knowing what dependency you needed for a piece of software to install, and if you did find it there may be a further dependency that you need as well. Installing software back then was "whack a mole" in terms of attempting to resolve all the dependencies.
Perhaps Flatpak is not the way, but we need something that any, and I mean ANY Linux distribution can reach out, grab, install and run, with the comfort and knowledge that the application or software package will run safely, and as intended. I don't really care what it is, as long as it works, is secure and stable. Also we need to sit down and agree. Recently I installed Manjaro 21.2 on the old Darter Pro, under Manjaro 21.12 I could find and install Chrome through the AUR, but now, there was no Chrome. Unacceptable. Chrome came with .deb, and .rpm packages, but nothing that would run under Arch or Arch clones. Nor Slackware.
Added to the fact that few or no major hardware makers have Linux as an option that you can purchase at Best Buy so that people can see and try Linux is also holding us back. I can't program, but I can and do contribute money, so can we all agree to help somehow as our circumstances allow? If you cannot code, or support with cash, act as a beta tester, or something to help.