I think this has already been answered but I just wanted to be clear so I can moderate my level of panic. The vocabulary surrounding the different types of installations has started to confuse me (and at least a few other folks in earlier comments). So please forgive me if this is redundant and long, but perhaps the summary will help some other folks 
.
My TL;DR question: the venv installation method (also know as Home Assistant Core, I think) will continue to be supported, correct? That is, the venv method is not the same as the Home Assistant Supervised method?
The Longer Version:
My understanding is that the different types of HA installation methods are/were:
- The hassio method – using a pre-made image on a standalone device like a Raspberry Pi, or using a virtual appliance with your favorite virtual machine software. This has always been the preferred method and includes the most features (like add-ons).
- The Docker method – using Docker software to run Home Assistant in a virtualized environment (I’m not very familiar with Docker). This method only installs the “base” Home Assistant packages.
- The venv method – using a Python virtual environment to run to run Home Assistant in a…virtualized environment. This method only installs the “base” Home Assistant packages.
The venv method (and the Docker method) would allow you to install Home Assistant in any Linux distro (in theory), so if, for example, you already had a Linux box acting as your media server, you could also install Home Assistant there instead of buying new hardware (assuming, of course, you know enough to properly install and administrate the system on your own). These methods – and some tutorials for a few different distros – are described in the documentation here…and that documentation will stay?
I’m using the venv method. I was not previously familiar with the Home Assistant Supervised method, so I assumed it’s not the method I’m using. But when I noticed that it was often referred to as “Home Assistant on Generic Linux” I started to get concerned. So…
I think that Home Assistant Supervised is a fourth installation method not mentioned in my list above, and that it is not the same as the venv installation method or the Docker method. Is that correct? Further, is the vocabulary translation below correct?
- Home Assistant Operating System = hassio method, using images or virtual appliances. Includes everything in Home Assistant Core plus add-ons.
- Home Assistant Core = venv and Docker method, also called “base Home Assistant,” allows users to install basic Home Assistant (without add-ons) into the OS of their choice. This will continue to be supported, and updates using pip3 commands (like those described here) will continue to work.
- Home Assistant Supervised = a hybrid method that provided a full-featured Home Assistant installation (with add-ons like the hassio method) but allowed users to install it into the OS of their choice, with the “Supervisor” application running interference between the OS and Home Assistant. Also called “Home Assistant on generic Linux.” This is the method that is under consideration for deprecation, and related documentation is being removed.
Is everything above correct? Or do I have anything wrong? Clarification would be much appreciated 