Linux Mint Forums

by **adam777** on Wed May 09, 2012 4:15 pm

Hello all,
Following this thread - http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=199&t=101565, and all the advice I received in it, I did some searching.
On the surface, it seems that the APT Preferences file is exactly what I need.
The default one reads:

Code: Select all: Package: * Pin: release o=linuxmint Pin-Priority: 700 Package: * Pin: origin packages.linuxmint.com Pin-Priority: 700 Package: * Pin: release o=Debian Pin-Priority: 500

and the default sources.list reads:

Code: Select all: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian main upstream import backport romeo deb http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest testing main contrib non-free deb http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest/security testing/updates main contrib non-free deb http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest/multimedia testing main non-free

Now, for the sake of testing, I installed the ati driver from default repositories (version 12.2) and than tried to create a setup in which ONLY this package (fglrx-driver) is being updated from the unstable repository.
First, I added the relevant repository to source.list:

Code: Select all: deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian unstable main contrib non-free

Next, I tried setting up the relevant entry in preferences:

Code: Select all: Package: fglrx-driver Pin: a=unstable Pin-Priority: 991

This is where I got stuck, as aptitude upgrade tries to pull a full sid upgrade (~700 packages upgrades).

I even tried removing:

Code: Select all: Package: * Pin: release o=Debian Pin-Priority: 500

and adding:

Code: Select all: Package: * Pin: a=unstable Pin-Priority: -10

With no success.

I hope the goal is clear - to let this one packages update from unstable (along with its dependencies) while the rest remain with default repositories.
It doesn't seem reasonable that the package dependencies will result in such a massive update, so I must assume something isn't properly configured.

Thanks in advance, Adam.

* EDIT *
Just tried again, this time doing a proper sid upgrade.
There are a little more upgrades available comparing to my attempts above.
So perhaps this one package does trigger that much dependencies?

by **craigevil** on Wed May 09, 2012 11:08 pm

Apt-Pinning for Beginners - http://jaqque.sbih.org/kplug/apt-pinning.html
AptConf - Debian Wiki - http://wiki.debian.org/AptConf

Howto: Set up and Maintain a Mixed Testing/Unstable System : http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php? ... 12&p=76067

smxi - unofficial Debian maintenance script http://smxi.org/site/install.htm

create /etc/apt.conf
add

Code: Select all: APT::Default-Release "testing";

by **rhodry** on Thu May 10, 2012 12:16 am

It doesn't seem reasonable that the package dependencies will result in such a massive update

Well, it is the graphics driver for your X system; it might have one or two dependencies:

Code: Select all: $ apt-rdepends fglrx-driver Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done fglrx-driver Depends: glx-alternative-fglrx (>= 0.2) Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.6-6~) Depends: libfglrx (= 1:12-4-1) Depends: libgl1 Depends: libgl1-mesa-glx Depends: libx11-6 Depends: libxext6 Depends: libxrandr2 Depends: libxrender1 Depends: xorg-video-abi-10 Depends: xorg-video-abi-11 Depends: xorg-video-abi-6.0 Depends: xorg-video-abi-8 Depends: xserver-xorg-core (<< 2:1.11.99) PreDepends: dpkg (>= 1.15.7.2) glx-alternative-fglrx Depends: glx-alternative-mesa Depends: glx-diversions (= 0.2.1) glx-alternative-mesa Depends: glx-diversions (= 0.2.1) glx-diversions Depends: dpkg (>= 1.15) PreDepends: nvidia-installer-cleanup dpkg PreDepends: libbz2-1.0 PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.11) PreDepends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) PreDepends: tar (>= 1.23) PreDepends: xz-utils PreDepends: zlib1g (>= 1:1.1.4) libbz2-1.0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support libc6 Depends: libc-bin (= 2.13-32) Depends: libgcc1 libc-bin libgcc1 Depends: gcc-4.7-base (= 4.7.0-7) Depends: libc6 (>= 2.2.4) PreDepends: multiarch-support gcc-4.7-base multiarch-support Depends: libc6 (>= 2.13-5) libselinux1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8) PreDepends: multiarch-support tar PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.8) xz-utils Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: liblzma5 (>= 5.1.1alpha+20110809) liblzma5 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.6-6~) PreDepends: multiarch-support zlib1g Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support nvidia-installer-cleanup Depends: debconf (>= 0.5) Depends: debconf-2.0 debconf PreDepends: perl-base (>= 5.6.1-4) perl-base PreDepends: dpkg (>= 1.14.20) PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.11) debconf-2.0 libfglrx Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.6-6~) Depends: libgcc1 (>= 1:4.1.1) Depends: libstdc++6 (>= 4.1.1) Depends: libx11-6 Depends: libxext6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libstdc++6 Depends: gcc-4.7-base (= 4.7.0-7) Depends: libc6 (>= 2.11) Depends: libgcc1 (>= 1:4.1.1) PreDepends: multiarch-support libx11-6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.2) Depends: libx11-data Depends: libxcb1 (>= 1.2) PreDepends: multiarch-support libx11-data libxcb1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) Depends: libxau6 Depends: libxdmcp6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxau6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support libxdmcp6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support libxext6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libx11-6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libgl1 libgl1-mesa-glx Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.6-6~) Depends: libdrm2 (>= 2.3.1) Depends: libgcc1 (>= 1:4.1.1) Depends: libglapi-mesa (= 8.0.2-2) Depends: libstdc++6 (>= 4.1.1) Depends: libx11-6 (>= 2:1.4.99.1) Depends: libx11-xcb1 Depends: libxcb-glx0 (>= 1.8) Depends: libxcb1 Depends: libxdamage1 (>= 1:1.1) Depends: libxext6 Depends: libxfixes3 Depends: libxxf86vm1 PreDepends: multiarch-support libdrm2 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) PreDepends: multiarch-support libglapi-mesa Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.6-6~) PreDepends: multiarch-support libx11-xcb1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libx11-6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxcb-glx0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libxcb1 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxdamage1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libx11-6 Depends: libxfixes3 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxfixes3 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libx11-6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxxf86vm1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libx11-6 (>= 2:1.4.99.1) Depends: libxext6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxrandr2 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libx11-6 Depends: libxext6 Depends: libxrender1 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxrender1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libx11-6 (>= 2:1.4.99.1) PreDepends: multiarch-support xorg-video-abi-10 xorg-video-abi-11 xorg-video-abi-6.0 xorg-video-abi-8 xserver-xorg-core Depends: keyboard-configuration Depends: libaudit0 (>= 1.7.13) Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8) Depends: libdrm2 (>= 2.3.1) Depends: libgcrypt11 (>= 1.4.5) Depends: libpciaccess0 (>= 0.12.902) Depends: libpixman-1-0 (>= 0.21.6) Depends: libselinux1 (>= 2.0.82) Depends: libudev0 (>= 154) Depends: libxau6 Depends: libxdmcp6 Depends: libxfont1 (>= 1:1.4.2) Depends: udev (>= 149) Depends: xserver-common (>= 2:1.12.1-2) keyboard-configuration Depends: initscripts Depends: liblocale-gettext-perl PreDepends: debconf (>= 1.5.34) initscripts Depends: coreutils (>= 5.93) Depends: debianutils (>= 4) Depends: file-rc Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) Depends: lsb-base (>= 3.2-14) Depends: mount (>= 2.11x-1) Depends: sysv-rc Depends: sysvinit-utils (>= 2.86.ds1-64) Depends: ucf coreutils Depends: dpkg (>= 1.15.4) Depends: install-info PreDepends: libacl1 (>= 2.2.51-5) PreDepends: libattr1 (>= 1:2.4.46-5) PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.7) PreDepends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) install-info Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.4) libacl1 Depends: libattr1 (>= 1:2.4.46-5) Depends: libc6 (>= 2.2) PreDepends: multiarch-support libattr1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.2.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support debianutils Depends: sensible-utils PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.7) sensible-utils file-rc lsb-base mount PreDepends: libblkid1 (>= 2.20.1) PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.8) PreDepends: libmount1 (>= 2.20.1) PreDepends: libselinux1 (>= 2.0.15) PreDepends: libsepol1 (>= 1.14) libblkid1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: libuuid1 (>= 2.16) PreDepends: multiarch-support libuuid1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) Depends: passwd PreDepends: multiarch-support passwd Depends: debianutils (>= 2.15.2) Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8) Depends: libpam-modules Depends: libpam0g (>= 0.99.7.1) Depends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) Depends: libsemanage1 (>= 2.0.3) libpam-modules PreDepends: debconf (>= 0.5) PreDepends: debconf-2.0 PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.8) PreDepends: libdb5.1 PreDepends: libpam-modules-bin (= 1.1.3-7.1) PreDepends: libpam0g (>= 1.1.3-2) PreDepends: libselinux1 (>= 2.0.85) libdb5.1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) PreDepends: multiarch-support libpam-modules-bin Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) Depends: libpam0g (>= 0.99.7.1) Depends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) libpam0g Depends: debconf (>= 0.5) Depends: debconf-2.0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8) PreDepends: multiarch-support libsemanage1 Depends: libbz2-1.0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8) Depends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) Depends: libsemanage-common (= 2.1.6-5) Depends: libsepol1 (>= 2.1.4) Depends: libustr-1.0-1 (>= 1.0.4) PreDepends: multiarch-support libsemanage-common libsepol1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) PreDepends: multiarch-support libustr-1.0-1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.2) libmount1 Depends: libblkid1 (>= 2.17.2) Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8) Depends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) Depends: libsepol1 (>= 1.14) PreDepends: multiarch-support sysv-rc Depends: debconf (>= 0.5) Depends: debconf-2.0 Depends: insserv (>> 1.12.0-10) Depends: sysvinit-utils (>= 2.86.ds1-62) insserv Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) sysvinit-utils Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) Depends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) ucf Depends: coreutils (>= 5.91) Depends: debconf (>= 1.5.19) liblocale-gettext-perl Depends: libc6 (>= 2.2) PreDepends: perl-base (>= 5.14.2-3) PreDepends: perlapi-5.14.2 perlapi-5.14.2 libaudit0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.4) libgcrypt11 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3) Depends: libgpg-error0 (>= 1.10) PreDepends: multiarch-support libgpg-error0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support libpciaccess0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: zlib1g (>= 1:1.2.3.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support libpixman-1-0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3) PreDepends: multiarch-support libudev0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.8) PreDepends: multiarch-support libxfont1 Depends: libbz2-1.0 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) Depends: libfontenc1 Depends: libfreetype6 (>= 2.2.1) Depends: zlib1g (>= 1:1.1.4) libfontenc1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: zlib1g (>= 1:1.2.6) PreDepends: multiarch-support libfreetype6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.11) Depends: zlib1g (>= 1:1.1.4) PreDepends: multiarch-support udev Depends: libc6 (>= 2.10) Depends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) Depends: libudev0 (= 175-3.1) Depends: lsb-base (>= 3.0-6) Depends: util-linux (>= 2.16) PreDepends: debconf (>= 1.4.69) PreDepends: debconf-2.0 util-linux Depends: debconf (>= 0.5) Depends: debconf-2.0 Depends: dpkg (>= 1.15.4) Depends: initscripts Depends: install-info Depends: lsb-base (>= 3.0-6) Depends: tzdata (>= 2006c-2) PreDepends: libblkid1 (>= 2.20.1) PreDepends: libc6 (>= 2.11) PreDepends: libncurses5 (>= 5.5-5~) PreDepends: libselinux1 (>= 1.32) PreDepends: libslang2 (>= 2.0.7-1) PreDepends: libtinfo5 PreDepends: libuuid1 (>= 2.16) PreDepends: zlib1g (>= 1:1.1.4) tzdata Depends: debconf (>= 0.5) Depends: debconf-2.0 libncurses5 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) Depends: libtinfo5 (= 5.9-7) PreDepends: libtinfo5 (>= 5.9-3) PreDepends: multiarch-support libtinfo5 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) PreDepends: multiarch-support libslang2 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.4) PreDepends: multiarch-support xserver-common Depends: x11-common Depends: x11-xkb-utils Depends: xkb-data x11-common Depends: debconf (>= 0.5) Depends: debconf-2.0 Depends: lsb-base (>= 1.3-9ubuntu2) x11-xkb-utils Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: libx11-6 Depends: libxaw7 Depends: libxkbfile1 Depends: libxt6 libxaw7 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3) Depends: libx11-6 Depends: libxext6 Depends: libxmu6 Depends: libxpm4 Depends: libxt6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxmu6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: libx11-6 Depends: libxext6 Depends: libxt6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxt6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: libice6 (>= 1:1.0.0) Depends: libsm6 Depends: libx11-6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libice6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3) Depends: x11-common PreDepends: multiarch-support libsm6 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1.3) Depends: libice6 (>= 1:1.0.0) Depends: libuuid1 (>= 2.16) PreDepends: multiarch-support libxpm4 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: libx11-6 PreDepends: multiarch-support libxkbfile1 Depends: libc6 (>= 2.7) Depends: libx11-6 PreDepends: multiarch-support xkb-data

cheers,
rhodry.

by **adam777** on Thu May 10, 2012 2:54 am

Thank you both, I'll keep toying with it.
Perhaps I should have tested with a "simpler" package as a sanity check.

by **adam777** on Thu May 10, 2012 4:48 am

OK, here is the current situation.
I used the following preferences file:

Code: Select all: Package: vlc Pin: release o=Debian,a=unstable Pin-Priority: 900 Package: * Pin: release o=Debian,a=unstable Pin-Priority: 50 Package: * Pin: release o=linuxmint Pin-Priority: 700 Package: * Pin: origin packages.linuxmint.com Pin-Priority: 700 Package: * Pin: release o=Debian Pin-Priority: 500

Now, apt-cache policy for vlc displays the following, as expected:

Code: Select all: vlc: Installed: 1:2.0.0-0.1 Candidate: 2.0.1-4+b1 Package pin: 2.0.1-4+b1 Version table: *** 1:2.0.0-0.1 900 500 http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest/multimedia/ testing/main amd64 Packages 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status 2.0.1-4+b1 900 50 http://mirror.isoc.org.il/pub/debian/ unstable/main amd64 Packages 2.0.0-6 900 500 http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest/ testing/main amd64 Packages

However, once I try to launch an upgrade (even aptitude full-upgrade) operation, I get the following:

Code: Select all: No packages will be installed, upgraded, or removed. 0 packages upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 1 not upgraded. Need to get 0 B of archives. After unpacking 0 B will be used.

The one "not upgraded" being vlc.
It's more than likely the upgrade cannot proceed because the newer VLC package also requires other newer packages to be obtained from unstable.
However, If I change the unstable to different priority other problems arise:
- more than 100 - gets priority over installed, but not over normal repository, and so the upgrade will still not use the needed packages from unstable.
- more than 500 - gets priority over both installed and normal repository, which will cause a full system upgrade, not what I want.

I'm aware of the fact that the whole pinning scheme is usually done with manual installation of a package stating "unstable", but is there no way of pinning to unstable not a single package (vlc) but a package along with all its dependencies?

Adam.

by **zerozero** on Thu May 10, 2012 2:05 pm

subscribing with interest.

this works here

Code: Select all: zerozero@debian:~$ inxi -Sr System: Host: debian Kernel: 3.2.0-2-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop Gnome Distro: Debian GNU/Linux wheezy/sid Repos: Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian testing main contrib non-free deb http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main contrib non-free deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing main non-free deb-src http://ftp.debian.org/debian testing main contrib non-free deb-src http://security.debian.org/ testing/updates main contrib non-free deb-src http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing main non-free deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian unstable main contrib non-free

had no preferences file, so made this one for this experiment

Code: Select all: zerozero@debian:~$ cat /etc/apt/preferences Package: * Pin: release a=testing Pin-Priority: 500 Package: * Pin: release a=unstable Pin-Priority: 200

and the result is

Code: Select all: zerozero@debian:~$ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade Ign http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing InRelease Hit http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing Release.gpg Hit http://security.debian.org testing/updates InRelease Hit http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing Release Hit http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/main Sources Hit http://security.debian.org testing/updates/main Sources Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing InRelease Get:1 http://ftp.debian.org unstable InRelease [233 kB] Hit http://security.debian.org testing/updates/contrib Sources Hit http://security.debian.org testing/updates/non-free Sources Hit http://security.debian.org testing/updates/main amd64 Packages Hit http://security.debian.org testing/updates/contrib amd64 Packages Hit http://security.debian.org testing/updates/non-free amd64 Packages Hit http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/non-free Sources Hit http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/main amd64 Packages/DiffIndex Hit http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/non-free amd64 Packages/DiffIndex Ign http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/main TranslationIndex Ign http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/non-free TranslationIndex Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/contrib TranslationIndex Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/main TranslationIndex Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/non-free TranslationIndex Ign http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/main Translation-en_GB Ign http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/main Translation-en Ign http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/non-free Translation-en_GB Ign http://www.debian-multimedia.org testing/non-free Translation-en Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/main Sources/DiffIndex Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/contrib Sources/DiffIndex Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/non-free Sources/DiffIndex Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/main amd64 Packages/DiffIndex Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/contrib amd64 Packages/DiffIndex Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/non-free amd64 Packages/DiffIndex Ign http://ftp.debian.org testing/contrib TranslationIndex Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/main TranslationIndex Ign http://ftp.debian.org testing/non-free TranslationIndex Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/contrib Translation-en_GB Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/contrib Translation-en Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/main Translation-en_GB Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/main Translation-en Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/non-free Translation-en_GB Get:2 http://ftp.debian.org unstable/main amd64 Packages [5,979 kB] Ign http://security.debian.org testing/updates/non-free Translation-en Get:3 http://ftp.debian.org unstable/contrib amd64 Packages [45.8 kB] Get:4 http://ftp.debian.org unstable/non-free amd64 Packages [82.0 kB] Ign http://ftp.debian.org unstable/contrib TranslationIndex Get:5 http://ftp.debian.org unstable/main TranslationIndex [2,295 B] Ign http://ftp.debian.org unstable/non-free TranslationIndex Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/contrib Translation-en Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/main Translation-en Hit http://ftp.debian.org testing/non-free Translation-en Get:6 http://ftp.debian.org unstable/contrib Translation-en [37.0 kB] Get:7 http://ftp.debian.org unstable/main Translation-en [3,952 kB] Get:8 http://ftp.debian.org unstable/non-free Translation-en [69.2 kB] Ign http://ftp.debian.org testing/contrib Translation-en_GB Ign http://ftp.debian.org testing/non-free Translation-en_GB Ign http://ftp.debian.org unstable/contrib Translation-en_GB Ign http://ftp.debian.org unstable/non-free Translation-en_GB Fetched 10.4 MB in 48s (213 kB/s) Reading package lists... Done Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done Calculating upgrade... Done 0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded. zerozero@debian:~$

testing with vlc (the results here are funny because i have vlc from debian-multimedia (testing) and only added main debian sid (so apt does a couple upgrades and downgrades at the same time) but point being: the pkgs are being pulled from sid

Code: Select all: zerozero@debian:~$ sudo apt-get install -s vlc/unstable Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done Selected version '2.0.1-4+b1' (Debian:unstable [amd64]) for 'vlc' Selected version '2.0.1-4+b1' (Debian:unstable [amd64]) for 'vlc-nox' because of 'vlc' Selected version '1:1.6.17-1.1' (Debian:unstable [amd64]) for 'libupnp6' because of 'vlc-nox' Selected version '2.0.1-4+b1' (Debian:unstable [amd64]) for 'vlc-plugin-notify' because of 'vlc' Selected version '2.0.1-4+b1' (Debian:unstable [amd64]) for 'vlc-plugin-pulse' because of 'vlc' The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required: libxcb-aux0 libswscale0 libxcb-atom1 libavutil49 libhal-storage1 tcptraceroute libkpathsea5 libicu44 libboost-date-time1.42.0 libobrender21 librasqal2 libavcodec52 libobparser21 libxcb-event1 libdmx1 libpango1.0-common libgmp3c2 libhal1 hal libgtkglext1 libreadline5 libfm-gtk0 xulrunner-1.9.1 libpoppler5 libboost-thread1.42.0 libgail-common libfm0 libgs8 libavformat52 libhunspell-1.2-0 libmozjs2d libjpeg62 libnl1 libraptor1 libgraphite3 cpp-4.4 hal-info openoffice.org-common openoffice.org-style-galaxy defoma libxcb-render-util0 libnet1 Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them. The following extra packages will be installed: libupnp6 vlc-nox vlc-plugin-notify vlc-plugin-pulse Suggested packages: videolan-doc The following packages will be REMOVED: libupnp-dev libupnp3 libupnp3-dev The following NEW packages will be installed: libupnp6 The following packages will be DOWNGRADED: vlc vlc-nox vlc-plugin-notify vlc-plugin-pulse 0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 4 downgraded, 3 to remove and 0 not upgraded. Remv libupnp-dev [1:1.6.6-5.1] Inst vlc-plugin-pulse [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Inst vlc-plugin-notify [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Inst vlc [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Inst vlc-nox [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Remv libupnp3-dev [1:1.6.6-5.1] [] Remv libupnp3 [1:1.6.6-5.1] [] Inst libupnp6 (1:1.6.17-1.1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf libupnp6 (1:1.6.17-1.1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc-nox (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc-plugin-pulse (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc-plugin-notify (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) zerozero@debian:~$

bare in mind a couple warnings:
- this was made in debian proper (where i had no preferences file to start with)
- the apt-pinning lmde already uses has pluses and minus (study it well)

by **adam777** on Thu May 10, 2012 4:36 pm

Appreciated, zerozero.
I think the main problem lies with the fact that I try to get the work flow to go exclusively via upgrades, not explicit installs.
Suppose I do make an explicit install from unstable, I can work the priorities so no downgrade will occur to VLC and its dependencies.
However, I'm back where I started - once a new version comes up in unstable, I will not get updated via the upgrade command, but have to some how learn of the new version and perform another manual install from unstable.
The above is not much different in terms of update convenience to installing from a deb file manually.

Coming to think of it, a "solution" that would work would be to generate a list of all the dependencies for all the packages I want from unstable using apt-rdepends (that is, for example - VLC and its dependencies plus fglrx-driver and its dependencies etc.).
Once I have such list, create a MASSIVE preferences file pinning each of those packages to unstable.
Theoretically that should work.

That being said, this solution is as gentle as a bull in a china shop

Considering this is still my trial and error period, I'm still keeping an eye for the upcoming release of Mint 13, where such things are easier to accomplish using PPA's.
Perhaps the disadvantages comparing to LMDE aren't so substantial after all...

by **zerozero** on Thu May 10, 2012 4:58 pm

ok, roger

back to the drawing table

Code: Select all: Package: * Pin: release a=testing Pin-Priority: 500 Package: * Pin: release a=unstable Pin-Priority: 200 Package: vlc* Pin: release a=unstable Pin-Priority: 600

Code: Select all: zerozero@debian:~$ apt-cache policy vlc vlc: Installed: 1:2.0.1-0.6 Candidate: 2.0.1-4+b1 Package pin: 2.0.1-4+b1 Version table: *** 1:2.0.1-0.6 600 500 http://www.debian-multimedia.org/ testing/main amd64 Packages 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status 2.0.1-4+b1 600 200 http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ unstable/main amd64 Packages 2.0.1-4 600 500 http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ testing/main amd64 Packages

Code: Select all: zerozero@debian:~$ sudo apt-get -s dist-upgrade Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done Calculating upgrade... Done The following packages will be REMOVED: libupnp-dev libupnp3 libupnp3-dev The following NEW packages will be installed: libupnp6 The following packages will be DOWNGRADED: vlc vlc-nox vlc-plugin-notify vlc-plugin-pulse 0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 4 downgraded, 3 to remove and 1 not upgraded. Remv libupnp-dev [1:1.6.6-5.1] Inst vlc-plugin-pulse [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Inst vlc-plugin-notify [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Inst vlc [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Inst vlc-nox [1:2.0.1-0.6] (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) [] Remv libupnp3-dev [1:1.6.6-5.1] [] Remv libupnp3 [1:1.6.6-5.1] [] Inst libupnp6 (1:1.6.17-1.1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf libupnp6 (1:1.6.17-1.1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc-nox (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc-plugin-pulse (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc-plugin-notify (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) Conf vlc (2.0.1-4+b1 Debian:unstable [amd64]) zerozero@debian:~$

- again, this needs further adaptation for lmde;
- needs for sure more tweaking (i'm a nOObie regarding this subject)

by **adam777** on Fri May 11, 2012 4:15 am

Hmmm, wildcards, an interesting idea

Will try to work it out and report back how it ended.

by **adam777** on Fri May 11, 2012 7:49 am

Well, seems like a dead end

The use of wildcard isn't that helpful, as VLC depends (on different level of the recursion) on about 200 packages, only 5 of which contains "vlc" in their name.
Granted, from all those 200 packages only about 10 do not meet requirements in current state (that is, most of the packages VLC depends on are installed and have a recent enough version).
While I could pin those 10 packages to make sure they are updated from sid, things are rather dynamic I suppose, and so it will not help much.
Seems like manual installation and updating, complete switch to sid or just switch to Mint 13 are the possible solutions.
Thanks again, zerozero, it has been a good lesson

PS. On a more general view, the fact that VLC alone depends on ~200 packages, and considering that it is only one application, really makes me doubt the usefulness on a mixed system in this situation.

by **zerozero** on Fri May 11, 2012 8:18 am

adam,
well i can see where is the problem here, and why it doesn't work for you but it did for me in testing (even with those upgrades and downgrades)
- you are tracking latest frozen around march/20th
- i'm tracking testing (updated daily and following closely sid)
- you are jumping through 2 months worth of updates (and that probably can be done but is out of my skills)

by **adam777** on Fri May 11, 2012 9:16 am

I completely forgot about UP, so I have pointed my machine to use the testing repositories, and an aptitude upgrade is on the move as we speak.
Lots of updates, even while using safe-upgrade, once I'm on the other side, I'll see how it goes.

Since I kind of like the idea of UP, mainly in order to make sure all the mint stuff is functioning as it should, a thing that is more likely to break when tracking testing directly, this is mostly a kind of sanity check.
As is the situation this days, the mint repositories can get quite behind the debian ones when the team is busy preparing a release or whatever.
So I'm (in my eyes at least

) simulating LMDE with UP5, and see how it goes from there.

Adam.

PS. As a nice bonus, the standard debian repository has a much faster mirror for me comparing with mint servers.
PPS. Your LMDE FAQ has been of great assistance.

by **zerozero** on Fri May 11, 2012 9:20 am

just a quick note: i don't use aptitude (find apt more reliable, but that's another story), anyway you might want to check if aptitude full-upgrade gives any extra output. you want to be full updated

tks about the faq

by **adam777** on Fri May 11, 2012 9:23 am

full-upgrade will follow.

by **adam777** on Fri May 11, 2012 10:37 am

Well, upgrade hasn't gone so smoothly - from the top of my head - the LMDE desktop background (which I suppose is part of a more comprehensive package) and the ATI control panel both went missing.
Perhaps it has something to do with the default preferences file not playing so nice with tracking testing directly.
Any idea if I should change something in the default preferences file so upgrade will behave better when tracking testing? (before even attempting any pinning or such thing).
Default reads:
- Mint packages priority - 700
- Debian packages priority - 500
Perhaps I should add something regarding "testing" priority.
At least in the case of the ATI control panel (fglrx-control), there were two dependencies in which the first solution aptitude suggested was to keep as is (thus not installing fglrx-control), while the second solution was to upgrade to a newer version sourced from testing following by the installation of fglrx-control, which is pretty much what I want it to do all the time...

by **zerozero** on Fri May 11, 2012 11:15 am

adam,
coming to testing has a price see this post
about that particular issue i think it's related with this and this
i have no idea what happened to the ati control panel :oops:

edit: i missed the edit you've made to the post.

by **zerozero** on Fri May 11, 2012 11:29 am

my opinion: (but it's up to the user) that once you go to testing or sid you should get rid of the preferences file this is from yesterday

by **adam777** on Fri May 11, 2012 2:38 pm

OK, I'll try to begin from a fresh installation, this time using no preferences file.
On a more general note, taking a little detour and that's about it regarding the matter:
When tracking testing directly, is there any significant difference between LMDE and Debian testing, assuming all the mint stuff is still working? (and yes, it's a bit simplistic...).

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