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Contributor forteller on Synaptic package manager

A solution to the "Warning users about adding non-official repositories" issue.  
Written by Ubun2ideas the 24 Oct 08 at 23:39. New
=> Develop a rating system for third party software sources (like PPAs), and integrate that information directly into Synaptic package manager.

Details:

Instead of displaying large, scary warnings every time we try to install non-official software packages, the system should help us to better understand and manage that risk. Elaborating on a comment mentioned by swegner in an earlier idea (http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/14689/), I've outlined a way to do just that:

Develop a rating system for third party software sources (like PPAs), and integrate that information directly into Synaptic package manager.

Imagine: you launch Synaptic, and open the ""Third-party Software" tab, which now contains two (nested) tabs within it. The first tab shows what is currently there - the list of currently added sources. The other, new, "PPA" tab would display an updated descending list of popular PPAs -- (PPAs are third-party software sources hosted on Canonical's launchpad.net site.)

On the right-most column, each PPA would have a star rating, (just like packages currently do in the Add/Remove dialog.) Perhaps, there also could be a way for the user to click on or next to the rating and be taken to a webpage or forum where both users and the PPA maintainers could post comments. This would give further re-assurance to the user, and provide helpful information, like conflicts or issues that previous users have faced. Perhaps this forum might also be linked somehow to launchpad and/or a bug reporting system, so that devs, the PPA maintainers and bug sqwashers alike could get more immediate feedback of how their software was behaving 'in the field'.

Each PPA listing could also have an icon (and a tooltip) beside it showing the program or software package that it is associated with. This way, users would not have to try and guess what that PPA was for just by reading it's URL -- I mean,
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/googlegadgets/ubuntu hardy main

[....]
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #14784
Written by Ubun2ideas the 24 Oct 08 at 23:39.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #14784 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!
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Solution #2: Create sandbox/Allow users to install packages to /usr/local
Written by Nobu the 15 Apr 10 at 01:59.
Allow users to install packages (without root privileges) with apt, dpkg, etc. (hereafter referred to as the package manager) to /usr/local or a sandbox (hereafter referred to as the sandbox).

The package manager would check to see if conflicting packages are installed globally and, if not, would install the packages to the sandbox. Programs installed to the sandbox should not be allowed to be run with root privileges. If the administrator installs the same package globally, it should be un-installed from the sandbox first.

Programs installed to the sandbox should be runnable by all users (aside from root, or other administrative users, as noted above). A warning should be displayed if a program run from the sandbox tries to gain root privileges.

See the 8 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 12 May 12 at 08:33) >>

Offer to uninstall unused dependencies when uninstalling a package  
Written by borsook the 25 Dec 08 at 23:47. Not an idea
When packages are uninstalled, their dependancies are not allways needed. These take up unnessacery space.
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Solution #1: Have Synaptic offer to Uninstall Unnesacery Packages.
Written by borsook the 25 Dec 08 at 23:47.
If I install package A system will propose installing packages B,C,D that A depends upon. But if I uninstall A B,C,D will be left even if nothing else uses them. Of course this can be checked and done manually, but wouldn't it be better if Synaptic checked if anything else depends upon those packages and ask the user if he/she wants to uinstall them too?

See the 14 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 9 Jul 11 at 16:29) >>

Cleanup tool is useless (a workaround, not a solution)  
Written by saivann the 28 Apr 09 at 20:41. New
Jaunty now have a computer janitor which help removing unnecessary packages and free up some space on the computer. I find it hard to believe that this tool can have it's own icon in ubuntu default Administration menu! Especially since it's possible to see the same obsolete packages in synaptic left panel.

Ubuntu already clean up /tmp automatically. It's clean, fast and it does not require any user interaction because after all, what would be the reason to keep temporary files? In the same order of idea, why keeping packages that can be automatically removed when no other packages depends on them and when they were not installed by user itself?

I don't think that ubuntu users deserve this old "Windows-like" dirty cleanup concept. Ubuntu should stay clean, it should not need user interaction to work well. In my opinion, including a cleanup tool is like accepting that the system does not work correctly by itself.
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Solution #1: Automatically remove useless packages
Written by saivann the 28 Apr 09 at 20:41.
When a package is not necessary anymore (was not installed by user and is not required by other packages), it should be removed automatically by apt. This could be done when a package is removed (all dependencies of that package could be removed at the same time since they were installed by that package, after all).

This would remove the need of a cleanup tool and let users use their computer without needing to continuously think about maintenance, which is one reason why ubuntu is great!!
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Solution #2: Prompt user to removed unneeded packages.
Written by montel the 28 Apr 09 at 23:11.
Similar to #1, but that may become a problem with some users. Ubuntu could check the packages when it does updates or something instead.
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Solution #3: Auto clean when required (e.g. low disk space)
Written by quadrox the 30 Apr 09 at 18:43.
The user should have the option to clean up when really needed, but ubuntu should mostly do it on its own at the appropriate time, for example when the disk is getting full or the old packages consume a lot of disk space. You could also completely clean packages if they haven't been used/reinstalled in a long while.

As long as the diskspace is not required for anything else there is no reason to remove the stuff, you may want to install it again later.
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Solution #4: Clean with low disk space, and be able to schedule
Written by montel the 30 Apr 09 at 21:19.
Create a simple app with a pretty GUI that will prompt users when disk space is low. Use apt-get autoremove and purge tmp and delete files in the recycle bin. Just something that will have a alert in the notification area like "an estimated xxxx amount of space could be cleared. Would you like to clean up a little?"




The reason that I want it to purge tmp is that I barely turn of my computer. I host a site with a static ip and I only turn it off if I have to. So my tmp folder can get to about a couple gigs before it is cleaned.




Oh and when doing autoremove, it would be nice if the use could set settings to be like "autoremove packages that haven't been used in x amount of days" If that could be implemented, I would be suportive of idea #1 on those term
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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Solution #5: Clean up more things
Written by sanketmedhi the 4 May 09 at 10:02.
Cleaning up the computer or freeing space should not be limited to packages. It should also include browser and cache, recent documents list, trash bin, etc.
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Solution #6: Clean only packages that are NOT used anymore
Written by lotif the 7 May 09 at 14:22.
The janitor, now as it is, cleans packages that are not in the repositories list, including packages that are frequently used. To give an example, it asks me to remove Skype and Adobe Reader, applications that I use everyday but are not in my software channels.

This should not happen because even if janitor thinks that these packages are obsolete, the user probably don't want to remove them because they are used.
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Solution #7: Clean QT/KDE packages in Gnome environment
Written by jrd the 22 May 09 at 15:45.
Building on Solution #5, I would like to see all non GTK apps listed. If you install a KDE app you get the QT library with it. As part of a "Janitor Service" I would like to be able to list these packages (and remove them).

Janitor could have a filter to display the various package sections. E.g., 'Unused packages', 'QT packages', 'tmp and cached files (thumbnails)', etc
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Solution #8: Do not clean mountpoints
Written by Clorox the 23 May 09 at 01:18.
I moved my home to a separate partition a while back, and Computer Janitor wanted to clean it up because I forgot to set the 'relatime' option in /etc/fstab. Obviously I did not want this to happen.
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Solution #9: Integrate in SoftwareStore
Written by zaherhoulayhel the 17 Sep 09 at 05:50.
Where SoftwareStore is going to be the universal Software manager for Ubuntu it should handle cleaning unused packages.

See the 11 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 29 Mar 11 at 09:18) >>

Auto-solving problems in synaptic, when "no space left on device"  
Written by darkham the 24 Feb 10 at 11:35. New
When a distracted user try to install packages in synaptic, with less space than needed, and it end during packeges installation, isn't properly easy fix synaptic, for a newbie.
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Solution #1: auto-uninstall of installed packages, canceling the operation
Written by darkham the 24 Feb 10 at 11:35.
Undo all selected operation from a log/cronology file build selecting packages. Delete all downloaded packages.
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Solution #2: free up some space
Written by nloewen the 1 Mar 10 at 00:59.
with the users permission remove old packages from the cash and auto remove unneeded packages. also, give the option to empty trash. then continue.
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Solution #3: warn before install
Written by nloewen the 1 Mar 10 at 04:01.
warn users that there is insufficient space before installing software.
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Solution #4: Auto-make "apt-get clean" and/or "apt-get autoremove"
Written by icoz the 14 Mar 10 at 20:34.
There are many downloaded packages in cache.
May be it's more logical to remove THEM? For example, I have 925Mb at this moment in /var/cache/apt/archives/

Of course it needs user decision.
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Solution #5: Routinely check the size of the package cache.
Written by lavinog the 23 Mar 10 at 21:30.
As #4 noted the package cache can get quite large.
Have a routine check (once a day) to check the size of the cache.
If the cache consumes more than 10% of the filesystem size, or if the cache size is greater than the free space, notify the user and give them a single click solution to purge the cache.
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Solution #6: As with # 5, but do it automatically.
Written by isantop the 9 Apr 10 at 05:06.
Many users would see the words "package cache" and flip a lid. It would be better to check the cache size, and if it is too big, automatically remove packages from the cache in order from oldest to youngest to make room.

Or, check the date, and only allow packages newer than X days old to remain on the system, unless purged manually by the user.

See the 3 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 23 Mar 10 at 21:25) >>

View only GNOME/KDE/XCFE friendly files in package manager.  
Written by DanteAshton the 15 Dec 09 at 16:35. New
More then once have I setup a Ubuntu system for a friend, only to have them install KDE packages, or packages really only designed for other DE's. Whilst most of the packages, under some restraint, don't cause problems; the end result is a very messy and slow machine.
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Solution #1: Lock out non-DE-friendly packages.
Written by DanteAshton the 15 Dec 09 at 16:35.
If I install Ubuntu with GNOME, I would like the option to hide (possibly under a password-protected file) other DE's files (as well as programs not compatible with the computer in question, like x64 files)

This should enable me, and many, many other people, to leave a Ubuntu system in the hands of someone who needs to familarize themselves with a working machine, before they screw around with it ;)
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Solution #2: More explicit DE information + Solution 1
Written by poooody the 15 Dec 09 at 18:15.
I think it should be more obviously apparent to users what DE a package is developed for, with the system perhaps displaying a notification if I am about to install a package primarily developed for a different DE.

I am also in favour of Solution 1; it's an all to easy mistake to make.
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Solution #3: Allow a filter for apps that depend on Gnome/KDE libraries
Written by darkestfright the 16 Dec 09 at 19:02.
Most casual users don't know the differences between Gnome and KDE applications, so the differences between the two wouldn't really bug them.

More experienced users tend to know the differences and don't want the bloat of having Gnome libraries installed in KDE and vice versa. Adding a "library" filter to an Advanced Options tab of synaptic/software center that allows you to "Only Show Gnome Applications" or "Only Show KDE Applications" center could make things easier.

Applications which are desktop independent would appear in both filter options, obviously.

See the 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 10 Jan 10 at 01:17) >>

Packages installed from .deb files aren't updated by apt  
Written by Xepra the 5 May 09 at 03:07. New
Not all programs that every user needs are contained in the default Ubuntu repositories.

The process of searching for a program, downloading an install file, and running it is very intuitive for most users. Adding a repository to sources.list is not. Furthermore, just installing a deb does not allow apt to keep it updated.

Let's take VirtualBox for example (while VirtualBox is in the repositories, the latest version is not; neither is the non-free version):

The user must first search for and find this page: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads

Then they have the option of:

(1) Clicking a link that automatically opens and installs the latest version of VirtualBox.

OR

(2) They can select the correct repository from a list of 9, figure out how to add that to /etc/apt/sources.list, then open a terminal and run "wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/sun_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -". Finally they have to run "sudo apt-get install virtualbox-2.2" or find it in the package manager and install it there.

Clearly option (1) is much easier and more intuitive, it is also what most common users are going to do.
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Solution #1: Allow .debs to optionally add a repository to sources.list
Written by Xepra the 5 May 09 at 03:07.
Add an optional field to .deb packages which causes them to prompt the user with something like:

Allow this package to add a repository to your software sources so Ubuntu can automatically keep it updated?

No Yes (Recommended)


If the user clicks yes then the appropriate repository is added to sources.list and the necessary keys are automatically installed.

Since they are installing software they have already had to go through the gksu dialog, so it should be a fairly innocuous dialog.

Unfortunately since there are so many deb installers out there this feature would have to be added to more than just one program. Also it would take a while for .deb packagers to start using widely.


See the 7 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 15 May 09 at 01:39) >>

gDebi (package install) should remember password  
Written by BigDan the 29 Sep 08 at 00:38. New
When installing individual deb packages Gdebi should remember that I've enter my password for each subsequent package in a given time frame say 15 minutes.

Right how as it is when I do a vanilla install I download probably 4 or 5 packages from getdeb.net and every time I double click to install one and click "Install Package" I have to enter my password. This is not user friendly.

Personally I throw them all in a folder and use sudo dpkg -i *.deb but for folks afraid of the terminal it would making things more user friendly and less bothersome.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #13844
Written by BigDan the 29 Sep 08 at 00:38.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #13844 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 4 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 16 Oct 08 at 18:51) >>

downloading  
Written by windozehater the 30 Sep 08 at 01:35. New
I know many of you have heard this before but it bears repeating; that updating or synaptic downloads should have a pause/resume. this would help with multiple computers sharing a line or when using a cell-modem
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #13872
Written by windozehater the 30 Sep 08 at 01:35.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #13872 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 1 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 30 Sep 08 at 21:18) >>

Improve Search in Synaptic Package Manager  
Written by hessam the 14 Sep 08 at 20:03. New
UPDATE: I realized that a quick search is being implemented in the next distribution. ( http://news.softpedia.com/images/extra/LINUX/large/ubuntu810alpha1-large_019.jp g ). Therefore the first problem I've mentioned below isn't a problem anymore. Only the second problem remains: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/13237/

There are two problems with Synaptic Search:

1. Search Speed

I have no idea why it takes so long to search! Saying that the package database is huge, is not a good enough excuse. take a look at how fast the 'locate' command works.

One solution is discussed in http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/9590/ I don't know if it's a good idea or not.

2. Search Result Ordering

And why does the results have to be sorted in alphabetical order?!? To find what I need, I have to go through a long list of useless programs.

I suggest the packages be sorted by popularity. (number of downloads.) Or at least for it to have an option where the user can specify the ordering policy.

UPDATE 2: some users suggested that the packages should be sorted by 'relevancy'. (Whatever that means)
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #13205
Written by hessam the 14 Sep 08 at 20:03.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #13205 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

See the 6 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 16 Sep 08 at 05:17) >>