Spec suggestion : dependancies with a non-networked computer

[Sean Hammond]

I've run into this problem as well and I do think we need a simple
solution, it can be a real pain.

The problem with simply simulating an installation on machine A and
collecting all the .deb's that it downloads and transferring them to
machine B is that machine A may have some packages already installed
that machine B does not, so you might not download all the
dependencies that machine B requires.

What the script would probably have to do is simulate an install as it
would happen on a standard Ubuntu installation, rather than an install
as it would happen on machine A in its current state.

- Sean

On 3/6/06, Lionel Dricot (aka Ploum) <zeploum at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I hear often that there's a problem for installing applications in an Ubuntu
> without internet or on a slow connexion. Indeed, under Windows, those people
> simply download .exe from the computer of a friend, put them on an USB key
> and go back to install the .exe on their computer.
>
> Under Ubuntu, it's not possible anymore because of dependancies. How to know
> wich paquet you must install ? (I have a few personnal stories with this
> kind of problem when I was a young debianner ;-) )
>
> So, I suggest to create a specification to workaround this problem. My idea
> is the following :
>
> @home
> - In synaptic or g-a-i, add an option (in a menu, no need of a big button) :
> simulate this installation
> - This option create a file (txt, xml, whatever) with the exact list of
> packages you need. The user is asked where he want to save this index file.
> - The user putt the index file on his USB key
>
> @friend
> - The user goes to his friend's computer.
> - On http://packages.ubuntu.com, he can upload his index file. That gives
> him a page with the list of package he must download.
> - He downloads all the packages and put them on his USB key, in the same
> directory as the index file
>
> @home
> - Back home
> - The user plugs his USB key and simply double click on the index file. (or
> "perform a simulated installation" in synatpic ? or whatever ?)
> - The system automatically install all packages and look for them in the
> directory where the index file is. (a kind of dpkg -i *.deb )
>
>
> Of course, it won't be for Dapper. It's more a middle term goal so far. But
> what do you think about the general idea ? Is there really a need to solve
> this problem ? Is this kind of solution something that can be discussed or
> far too unrealistic ?
>
> Lionel
>
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>
>
>


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