update-alternatives

[Johann Spies <jspies@sun.ac.za>]

I have checked the man page and the Debian Handbook but I am not sure
how to influence the 'auto' setting for update-alternatives.

eg.

 % update-alternatives --config x-www-browser
update-alternatives --config x-www-browser
There are 6 choices for the alternative x-www-browser (providing /usr/bin/x-www-browser).

  Selection    Path                       Priority   Status
------------------------------------------------------------
  0            /usr/bin/google-chrome      200       auto mode
  1            /usr/bin/dillo              50        manual mode
  2            /usr/bin/epiphany-browser   85        manual mode
  3            /usr/bin/google-chrome      200       manual mode
* 4            /usr/bin/iceweasel          70        manual mode
  5            /usr/bin/opera              200       manual mode
  6            /usr/bin/xlinks2            69        manual mode

Press enter to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 

The man page says (and this for me is unclear):

When using the --config option, update-alternatives will list all of the
choices for the link group of which given name is the master alternative
name. The current choice is marked with a '*'.  You will then be
prompted for your choice regarding this link group.  Depending on the
choice made, the link group might no longer be in auto mode.  You will
need to use the --auto option in order to return to the automatic mode
(or you can rerun --config and select the entry marked as automatic).


I cannot figure out from this how to get to 'auto' mode.  After choosing
iceweasel in the screen shown above, when I run the --auto option I
still get :

% sudo update-alternatives --auto x-www-browser
sudo update-alternatives --auto x-www-browser
update-alternatives: using /usr/bin/google-chrome to provide /usr/bin/x-www-browser (x-www-browser) in auto mode

So what does the --auto option do otherwise than showing me what I have
already seen in the --config screen?

Regards
Johann
-- 
Johann Spies                            Telefoon: 021-808 4699
Databestuurder /  Data manager

Sentrum vir Navorsing oor Evaluasie, Wetenskap en Tegnologie
Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology 
Universiteit Stellenbosch.

     "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, 
      believe also in me."       John 14:1 
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