How to get useful bug fixes for KDE 4.4. without automatically upgrading to 4.5?

[Clay Weber]

On Monday 15 February 2010 06:53:30 am Bas Roufs wrote:
> Hello everybody
> 
> At my main desktop 'production' partition I work with Kubuntu Karmic.
> In December 2009, I added via "Adept" this backport to the list of
> 'software resources' from which to take automatic updates:
> http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu
> I did so at that moment with a view to upgrading to KDE 4.3, which was
> a stable version with several useful bug fixes and good new features.
> My experience with KDE 4.3. was simply good - already immediately
> after installing it.  That's why, I maintained the backport at the
> software resources list, because I thought I would need it for regular
> updates for KDE 4.3. That's why a whole bunch of updates came in last
> week: an automatic upgrade to KDE 4.4. Along with that upgrade, some
> complications came in as well. I did manage to find some 'workarounds'
> for all of them - I wrote about them in another recent thread
> dedicated to this issue. However, I needed a few hours to find those
> workarounds - in a period full of time pressure because of several
> deadlines I need to deal with. Now, I am fine, though KDE 4.4. still
> has some rough edges I need to work 'around' - that's why, I do want
> to get bug fix and security updates for it, if any. On the other hand,
> I do not want to get a new KDE upgrade before I will upgrade myself my
> production partition to Kubuntu 10.04 LTS.  That's why I am wondering
> how I can safeguard and stabilise this production partition in this
> fabric of circumstances, for the time being. I see a few options:
> 
> IMMEDIATELY CLOSING THE BACKPORT?
> After  the automatic upgrade to KDE 4.4., I read several warnings not
> to keep open a backport at a production machine.
> For sure I will shut down the backport at the production partition
> after the upgrade to Kubuntu 10.04 LTS, probably in May 2010.
> 
> @ Dotan and other developers: at my desktop PC,  I have another
> partition at which I still have Kubuntu 7.10, which I do not use any
> more. I am happy to install at that partition in a later stage
> experimental software with a view to evaluating it and filling in bug
> reports. I will come back to this, when relevant.
> 
> With respect to the production partition:  I am doubting whether it is
> wise to close the backport already now. My configuration has upgraded
> now to KDE 4.4. I do not want to make complications with a view to
> rolling back that upgrade. I am wondering how I can get useful bug
> fixes for KDE 4.4., without getting a new automatic upgrade to KDE
> 4.5.
> 
> 
> KEEPING THE BACKPORT OPEN UNTIL THE UPGRADE TO THE STABLE VERSION OF
> KUBUNTU 10.04 LTS?
> I am considering this option with a view to getting useful bug fixes
> and security updates for KDE 4.4. On the other hand, I am not waiting
> for another time consuming upgrade to KDE 4.5. at my production
> partition. So, my question is: will there be any backport upgrade to
> KDE 4.5. before June 2010? If so, let me know please, when, so that I
> can close the backport in time.
> 
> ANY OTHER APPROACH YOU COULD RECOMMEND ME?
> Is there any other possible approach you could recommend me with a
> view to getting useful updates for KDE 4.4 without upgrading to 4.5?
> 
> WHAT ABOUT THE NETBOOK (Asus Eee PC 1001 HA)?
> This netbook, mentioned in another thread, will also be a production
> machine. What would you recommend me to do after installing Kubuntu
> Karmic:
> * sticking to the KDE version coming with the install and 'normal' 
> updates? * upgrading to KDE 4.3?
> * any other option?
> 
> OK, this is it for now. Thanks for your your possible feedback,
> respectfully yours,
> 
> Bas.

Basically, don't enable these ppa's at all if stability this is your main 
concern. 4.3.5 made it to the (non-ppa) regular backports repo after some 
testing time in the ppa, and I assume that 4.4 will eventually move there as 
well. I am looking for some clarification on this. I am working on a wiki page 
to help with this.

-- 
Clay Weber
http://kubuntuforums.net
http://flyballmaine.com
http://emacdogsports.com