Re: Missing "Update system" icon in Gnome and KDE
If anyone is interested, there are now packages and source for
apt-indicator (for Sarge) available here:
https://jason.xc.net/content/linux/debian/apt-indicator/
The only big TODO left is autostart under Gnome. Autostart for KDE
works; for Gnome use Debian Menu -> Apps -> System -> System Update
Monitor.
Jason
On Sun, Oct 03, 2004 at 07:44:38PM +0000, Jason Wies wrote:
> The Debian security team does a great job of providing updated
> packages in a timely manner to address any security problems in stable
> releases.
>
> However, there is no simple way of taking advantage of this fact and
> staying up-to-date using the default Gnome or KDE installations
> currently provided with Sarge.
>
> The only available option currently is Synaptic, which, while a great
> piece of software, is buried in the menu and offers a
> not-so-convenient 5-click upgrade procedure (in it's default mode at
> least, which is what is available from the menu).
>
> Luckily, on my quest to remedy this situation, I found two applets
> that are already written that address this problem. Both check for
> APT updates at regular intervals and rely on Synaptic to do the actual
> upgrade. Here are the pros and cons of each:
>
> apt-watch (http://alioth.debian.org/projects/apt-watch/):
> Pros:
> - Written by a DD (Daniel Burrows)
> - Already packaged and in Debian
> - Uses a user-to-root helper by default (although not
> su-to-root as it should)
> - Allows for separating security updates from other updates
> Cons:
> - Ugly, non-intuitive icons
> - Only offers Daily and Weekly time options
> - Download Upgrades menu option doesn't work (but is not
> really necessary)
> - Doesn't work with KDE
>
> apt-indicator (http://apt-indicator.sourceforge.net/):
> Pros:
> - Visually pleasing, intuitive icons
> - Lists packages that are available for upgrade without
> having to launch Synaptic
> - Allows any kind of time setting
> - Works with Gnome and KDE
> Cons:
> - Wasn't made for Debian (but works anyway)
> - Doesn't use user-to-root by default (requires patch)
>
>
> My preference after having evaluated both is definitely apt-indicator.
> Overall it is more intuitive and easy to use, offers all the features
> that are needed, and supports both Gnome and KDE.
>
> For those who want to try apt-indicator under testing, here is the
> quick guide:
>
> - Download:
> http://voxel.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/apt-indicator/apt-indicator-0.0.4rc2.tar.bz2
>
> - Apply the attached patch.
>
> - Install the build dependencies (need g++, etc. as well):
> qt3-dev-tools libqt3-dev libapt-pkg-dev libqt3-mt-dev help2man
> xsltproc docbook-xsl
>
> - make && make install
>
> - Run 'apt-indicator' under Gnome or KDE
>
> - If your system is already up-to-date with testing and you want to
> downgrade a package to test the update, here is a good one currently
> (install 0.90.0-3):
> ftp://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/pool/main/g/gnome-system-tools/
>
> Work left to do:
> - Fix run_program.cpp to properly work with any command
> - Look into dist_upgrade.cpp:177 APT_UPDATE_ASSERT call
> - Figure out if the XSL stylesheet we have (for the docs) is
> the one it expects
> - Make sure Sarge's Synaptic supports --update-mode
> - Add an option for Synaptic's --non-interactive mode
> - Package it
>
> I'm going to keep working on it and I'll try to have a package for it
> soon. It would be nice to know if there is enough interest in this
> feature to get it into Sarge, or if it is too late to be adding new
> software (even security-related software) into the testing process at
> this point.
>
> Jason
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