How to tell which version of a application is running

[Ralf Mardorf]

On Wed, 19 Apr 2017 10:15:24 +0200, Xen wrote:
>Just because Karl made a bad suggestion doesn't mean yours are any
>good.

This isn't a reply to Xen, just a hint addressed to the original poster.

Karl's suggestion isn't bad.

The reason Karl recommended to remove the unneeded version is, that
soon or later having two versions of the same software installed, is
asking for trouble, if those versions aren't clearly separated. You
already noticed yourself that there was an issue and fixing it with a
dirty hack might just be a temporarily solution.

IIUC you have removed your local install and upgraded tracker with a
package from a newer Ubuntu release. If so, then actually this fulfills
what Karl suggested, too.

Consider to read https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuBackports .
Ubuntu provides official backports, but even using those come with "an
inherent risk".

What you've got now quasi is an unofficial backport. There's nothing
wrong with this workaround, but it has got an "an inherent risk", too.
However, any diversion from the official supported Ubuntu is risky,
dirty hacks as well as well done customizing.

Rrésumé:

_If_ you backported packages and everything is still working and _if you
in addition_ removed the local installed files of "tracker", this is
what Karl and I tried to provide, too. It's still a hack, but not that
dirty anymore.

1. You can keep it that way, without being much worried.

2. This isn't a silver bullet, you can do it again and again. This kind
of backporting might not work for another version of "tracker" again.

Regards,
Ralf