• From: Santa Fe, NM, USA
  • Registered: 2009-09-14
  • Posts: 1,406

Topic: Bug list for Debian 'testing'

Debian's Squeeze (testing) release is a fairly dynamic environment, and nearly every day there's a handful of upgrades.

Now, I know that Squeeze in the 'freeze' stage . . . but, from time to time there's a very big handful - a few weeks ago there were about 90 new upgrades in one day.

I have upgraded my #!Statler OS to use the Sid (unstable) repositories. . . so I like to update/update every day, rather than store up possibly hundreds of upgrades after several weeks.

Whatever you do, I recommend that you install apt-listbugs

sudo apt-get install apt-listbugs

Then when you upgrade or install anything new you'll get a warning if there's an outstanding bug report relating to any of the packages you're installing.

I have found this very helpful in avoiding downtime and b0rks.

Last edited by vrkalak (2010-08-24 20:29:50)

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#!Crunchbang 'Statler' (Openbox) -- LinuxMint-Debian-Fluxbox Edition
  • duck
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  • Registered: 2010-09-27
  • Posts: 18

Re: Bug list for Debian 'testing'

Concerning the packages that have bugs,  do I need to put a lock on those packages or change them from auto to manual installation or put them on hold?  Apt-listbugs still asked me whether to continue the upgrade or stop the installation.

RESOLVED: found answer
Instead of a Y or N , type a p to pin the package in your /etc/apt/preference file, then press N to stop the application.  It appears that locks, holds, changing auto to manual all work but it takes a long time for changes to get where they are suppose to be and then it's erratic.  I like to run a bare minimum setup with a lot of services removed, it may just be my setup.  The pinning method works better for me and you will have a list to review at any time.  Here is a example of what to add at bottom of the /etc/apt/preference file in case you want to add to it manually. 

Package: perl
Pin: version 5.10.1-14
Pin-Priority: 1000

This version is the version you have now and by placing a 1000 pin on it, it will not upgrade to a squeeze priority of only 100.  You can keep a eye on the packages that you are holding back by typing  "sudo apt-listbugs list packagename"  Example: sudo apt-listbugs list perl

Thanks Vrkalak for this tip!

Last edited by duck (2010-10-22 05:12:46)