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On Sun, 6 Jul 2014 18:16:11 +0100 bad apple <mr.meowski@xxxxxxxx> wrote: > On 06/07/14 17:47, Neil Winchurst wrote: > > I run Xubuntu 14.04 so I get the automatic updates which appear > > occasionally. It has never occurred to me before, but what if I see > > something in the list of files to be updated which I don't want? for > > example today I had some which I noticed included an update to Kate > > editor. Kate is not installed on my computer, it is a KDE file and I > > run Xfce. As editor I use gedit. > > > > Also, a little while ago I ran the updates and suddenly found that > > firefox looked weird. I have since sorted that, but my main question > > is, is there a way to remove one of the updates from the list > > before I run the update manager? Not a security one of course. And > > what if I don't want that update to appear again? > > > > Just wondering, > > > > Neil > > > Prepare to enter dangerous territory. > > Do NOT try and second guess package managers and system maintainers. > What you want is possible through apt pinning and package masking but > honestly, you are a hundred years too early to even think about doing > this. Thanks for the confidence boost. LOL > You say Kate is not installed on your machine - but it obviously is. > How would you be receiving an update to it otherwise? It would be a > new install if it was merely being pulled in via dependencies. > When I check for kate in synaptic or the Ubuntu software centre, it is shown as not installed. > Firefox 'looked weird' because it has switched to the new Australis > interface (i.e., a bit chrome-like). You probably 'fixed' it by > installing an extension or two to re-skin it to the more traditional > look. Your other option was to deny the update and continue using an > outdated, security hole riddled broken firefox version. Yes, that is what I did. The new Autralis interface is ridiculous IMHO and I refuse to use it. But I was not going to avoid the update, for security reasons. (I also think it should have been made available as an option, not foisted on us suddenly, but that is another topic.) Please note that I was only considering avoiding updates very rarely for less important programs. For example, I have heard that gedit is going to get a brand new look in the latest version. Once again it seems that we are going to have an 'improved' version foisted on us. I was wondering if there could be an easy and safe way to stay with my current version. > > This does seem to be what you're asking for: "how can I ignore > critical updates to my system software for no good reason?" > Not at all, I certainly do not plan to miss out on any updates that are critical. > In the strongest possible terms, do *not* do this. > > Your first step is to never use the stupid GUI update tool ever again. > The first thing I do on my PC every day after logging in is start a > terminal and issue "runthatshit" which on my systems is always > aliased: > > ghost@failbot:~/SRC/mozilla-central$ grep runthat ~/.bashrc > alias runthatshit="sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade" > > I examine and process my update list every single day at a prompt, and > so should you - you'll quickly get used to the file naming > conventions, rate of updates, etc and will shortly be able to spot > oddities, unexpected upgrades, weird things being pulled in and so > on. As ever, doing things manually at the terminal gives you a lot > more feedback and information than GUI tools. > Absolutely agree. Remember I was brought up on DOS so I am used to and very happy with the terminal and the CLI. > So go away and learn to do this. Come back when you've taught yourself > everything you need to know about package maintenance, operating > system dependencies and library conflicts. Then, and only then, do > you get the right to start arbitrarily overriding security updates on > your computer. Don't forget that by not undertaking basic OS updates > you're not only exposing yourself to risks, but everyone else out > there on the same internet. > > Sorry chief :] > That's OK. I realise that you are looking out for my best interests. But let me emphasise again, I was just wondering about the very, very rare occasion such as my gedt example above. I certainly would never consider not running updates as and when they appear. Thanks, Neil -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/listfaq