[packagekit] Suggestion

[PEDRO MACANAS VALVERDE]

-----Mensaje original-----
De: packagekit-bounces at lists.freedesktop.org [mailto:packagekit-bounces at lists.freedesktop.org] En nombre de Richard Hughes
Enviado el: jueves, 07 de febrero de 2008 18:46
Para: PackageKit users and developers list
Asunto: Re: [packagekit] Suggestion

On Wed, 2008-02-06 at 13:17 +0100, Pedro Macanás wrote:
> I suggest create something similar to apt-zip, to update Linux
> packages (in a computer without Internet connection) using a Windows
> computer with Internet access. It could include: apt-zip or similar
> program, Cygwin packages (to execute the program in Windows ) and Wget
> (to download the package). 

What's the use case for this? Someone setting up a Linux computer and
needing to download some sort of driver to get online?


YES. I.e. I use Huawei E220 USB MODEM (I used before a cablemodem, but in my new home I cannot get cable) offered by Vodafone. I downloaded the Vodafone package, that depends on wvdial and other packages.

The problem is I cannot connect to the Internet using Linux, to download the packages, because I have not installed the packages and I cannot install the new packages (on which wvdial and the Vodafone package depends on) because I have not internet connection (although I have a USB modem and the Vodafone package ).

>Or for a Linux
computer that is never connected to the Internet to get updates?

It was connected to the Internet before the home hand off (home move).

>If it's the later, I think some sort of integration with a "service
pack" type CD would be useful, 

That´s for sure. 

>but only when we've identified valid use cases and sane interactions for this.

To avoid the dependency hell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dependency_hell )

>Try not to think about what the
tools can (or could) do, think about what the user is trying to achieve.

You are right.

>Ideas welcome.


I have Internet connection at work (Windows), so I can download packages at work and later install them in my Linux computer at home. When all the packages are installed, I can CONNECT TO THE INTERNET (this is what I try to do).

Problems and ideas: 

* Linux would say : I need this, this ... and this package and the packages on they are based on (dependencies) and store all the operating system, version, package names and URL from where download the packages.

I cannot connect to the Internet to download an updated package list (this would be done in Internet using the computer at work  - and a web server ?-

* I would have a Cygnus or similar program to download the packages from Windows. I.e. apt-get read the list created with apt-get program in Linux and download the packages. But, you have to install Cygnus to use this Linux program (in some computers, you cannot install new programs, because you have no installation rights; or only can use the space of a USB key; and in other computers Cygnus is too big to install it). Really, I prefer a compact installation (minimal installation ) in Windows or use a program installed in a USB key (small program).

In any case, as much automated and easy the installation and use are, the best for usability.

If we can get it, I could say packagekit would be the best package-manager of all.

Regards.