Re: debian-user-digest Digest V2004 #716

[Eric Walstad <debian@ericwalstad.com>]

On Tuesday 27 July 2004 01:47 pm, 
debian-user-digest-request@lists.debian.org wrote:
> On Tue, 2004-07-27 at 13:49, Eric Walstad wrote:
> > Hi All,
> > I'm having trouble trying to apt-get update/upgrade my debian
> > unstable machine with the latest security fixes as advertised
> > in the debian-security-announce emails.  When I do:
> >
> > apt-get update
> > apt-get upgrade
> > dpkg -l | grep <package name>
> >
> > I find that the installed version of the package doesn't match
> > what advisory says is available.
> >
> > In the debian security announcements, the instructions for
> > apt-get users say:
> >
> > -----
> > For the unstable distribution (sid), CAN-YYYY-NNNN was fixed in
> > version X.Y.ZZ.
> >
> > We recommend that you update your <Package Name> package.
> >
> > Upgrade Instructions
> > - --------------------
> > [...]
> > If you are using the apt-get package manager, use the line for
> > sources.list as given below:
> >
> > apt-get update
> >         will update the internal database
> > apt-get upgrade
> >         will install corrected packages
> >
> > You may use an automated update by adding the resources from the
> > footer to the proper configuration.
> > -----
> >
> > My question:
> > 1.  The emails imply that there are unstable packages avaialble.
> >  If so, how do I apt-get update/upgrade them?
>
> First of, your /etc/apt/sources.list has to include
> security.debian.org as a source.
>
> Line would look like:
>
> deb http://security.debian.org stable/updates main contrib non-free
>
> After you add that to your /etc/apt/sources.list, do what the
> instructions say.
>
> You may be surprised to find out how far behind you are.
> --=20
> greg, greg@gregfolkert.net

Greg, thanks for the reply.

My /etc/apt/sources.list file contains the following lines (among 
others):

# Security updates for "stable"
deb http://security.debian.org stable/updates main contrib non-free
deb http://security.debian.org testing/updates main contrib non-free

Is it possible that the other lines farther down in the file could 
undo what these lines are meant to do?

As for doing what the instructions say, I think I need clarification 
of the following two statements:
 1. "use the line for sources.list as given below:"
    To which line are they referring?

 2. "You may use an automated update by adding the
    resources from the footer to the proper 
    configuration."
    Is this equivilent to 1.?
    If not, what resource do I need to add and to what file do I need 
to add it?

I'm happy to post my sources.list, if it will help troubleshoot.

Thanks again for your time expertise.

Eric.