[SOLVED] How big is the Software Manager

[Ozo]

The Software Manager looks huge and 99% of it is useless to me. Could that not be moved off the system similar to how Cinnamon Spices works.

Really, how big is it?

[trytip]

that's what she said

but seriously, i don't understand what you asking

[Ozo]

How much space does it occupy?

[Moem]

Are you talking about screen estate (probably not), space used to host the files on the repo server, file size of the application (probably, but want to make sure)?

[gm10]

I'm not sure I understand, either.

If you are asking about pre-installed software, you can remove most of what you don't need if you want to recover some space.

If you are asking about everything else that's listed in the Software Manager, that's not taking up any space until you download and install it.

[Ozo]

I'm not sure I understand, either.

If you are asking about pre-installed software, you can remove most of what you don't need if you want to recover some space.

If you are asking about everything else that's listed in the Software Manager, that's not taking up any space until you download and install it.

Yes, that answers my question. I had thought it was all stored on board. Thanks.

[Ozo]

The Software Manager takes longer than any other app to load so obviously there is more to it than "nothing".

[gm10]

The Software Manager takes longer than any other app to load so obviously there is more to it than "nothing".

It has to parse lists of large number of packages across all active repositories (bionic/universe alone has nearly 136000 packages), that can take a while.

[Hoser Rob]

The Software Manager takes longer than any other app to load so obviously there is more to it than "nothing".

But the 'nothing' is a big list fetched from the web servers, it's not on your machine when you aren't running software manager.

[Pjotr]

Synaptic is usually a lot quicker, though...

[Flemur]

The Software Manager takes longer than any other app to load so obviously there is more to it than "nothing".

When you start it, it's automagically updates your software lists, which involves downloading files.

[Ozo]

Synaptic is usually a lot quicker, though...

So the Software Manager is redundant:

[gm10]

Synaptic is usually a lot quicker, though...

So the Software Manager is redundant:

So is Synaptic, because Aptitude does the same. So is Aptitude, because apt does it as well, etc.

If you want a monolithic operating system, you know where to look. Linux is exactly not that.

[Ozo]

Thanks, I think.

[gm10]

Thanks, I think.

Heh. Frankly I didn't know where you were coming from, either (and I still don't).

Software Manager shows you the description and screenshot (where available) along with the Mint community comments and ratings all in one place. If that has no value for it, then yes, Software Manager is redundant. Personally I'm happy it exists.

[Ozo]

It is just that when I bring up the Software Manager it reminds me of when I first saw Windows 10 with all those, in your face, irrelevant (to me) apps which fortunately could be removed easily. With Synaptic I never have to see it at least. I sure hope no one is insulted by my suggestion to remove it.

[Moem]

I missed when you made that suggestion to be honest... I thought you wanted the available applications themselves moved off the system, which they already are.
The easiest way not to see the software manager's suggested application is never to use it.

[Ozo]

I missed when you made that suggestion to be honest... I thought you wanted the available applications themselves moved off the system, which they already are.
The easiest way not to see the software manager's suggested application is never to use it.

I said that, in fact I have removed it from the Menu by un-checking it in the Menu Editor so definitely will never see it.

I still see all the updates for that stuff however.

[Pjotr]

I still see all the updates for that stuff however.

Surely that shouldn't be a problem?

Linux fortunately has a wide range of tools, some of which (partly) overlap. That's because we Linux users are, as a rule, uncommonly headstrong and rife with both rational and irrational personal preferences. Some of us even "roll our own", when we aren't satisfied with the standard offerings.

mintinstall is, generally, mainly of interest for Linux beginners. More experienced Linux users usually prefer Synaptic and/or the Mighty Terminal (Linux's very own Swiss Army knife): apt-get and apt. That said: it never hurts to have an extra pipe wrench in your toolbox. You never know when even a little used wrench suddenly has its use.

[Moem]

I missed when you made that suggestion to be honest... I thought you wanted the available applications themselves moved off the system, which they already are.
The easiest way not to see the software manager's suggested application is never to use it.

I said that, in fact I have removed it from the Menu by un-checking it in the Menu Editor so definitely will never see it.

I still see all the updates for that stuff however.

That stuff? You don't get updates for applications that aren't installed. I thought we were talking about available applications, are we now talking about installed applications? If not, what is 'that stuff'?