[ubuntu-uk] value of /var/cache/apt/archives ?

[Neil Greenwood]

On 20/12/06, alan c <aeclist at candt.waitrose.com> wrote:
> Alan Pope wrote:
> > I think the reason you are failing is because you are making an incorrect assumption
> > about how apt/dpkg work.
> >
> > You don't just point apt at a bunch of debs and expect it to install them, it doesn't
> > work like that. You *could* point dpkg at a directory of debs and see if it can install
> > them - hoping you still have all necessary dependancies (which you probably should).
> >
> > Apt requires a repository which consists of pools of directories sorted alphabetically,
> > and other files which index those pools. The easiest way to explain it is to go and have
> > a look at a repository.
> >
> > http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/
> > http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/
> > http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/ - contains all the packages
> > http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/dapper/ - for example contains the indexes of
> > the packages in the pool.
> >
> > I would recommend you use one of the tools recommended, apt-move, apt-mirror, debmirror
> > and so on.
>
> thanks I will change direction slightly

There's a project called APTonCD, that does exactly what you want.
Try looking at http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2006/11/aptoncd-create-backup-of-all-packages.html
for an introduction.

I haven't used the project, just spotted it and stored a link...

Hwyl,
Neil.