PackageKit: Call for testing

Category: Ubuntu

The APT backend for PackageKit has made a lot of progress recently in the 0.3.x series. It nearly supports all features of PackageKit. 

Highlights of the 0.3.x series are:

  • Search for codecs and mime type handlers
  • Local file installation
  • Change log for updates
  • Group support
  • Repository handling
  • Notification of new distro releases
  • A lot of bug fixes

See the feature matrix for more infromation.

Currently we have got a quite outdated 0.2.4 version in Intrepid. Furthermore sharing the same version would help to reduce maintenance burden, since Fedora plans to ship 0.3.2 in the next release. But before proposing a freeze exception I would like to have some feedback.

So if you are interested in this piece of software and want to push packagekit forward please test it on your system and report bugs that you may encounter.

You can find packages of the upcoming 0.3.2 release for Hardy and Intrepid in this Personal Package Archive. Add the repository and install the packages packagekit and packagekit-gnome.

The new applications will appear in the System->Administration menu.

 

Update: I uploaded packages to the PPA which fix a problem with PolicyKit. Furthermore I fixed the reference to packagekit-gnome package above.

Update: I just upgraded the packages to 0.3.5 and filled a new freeze exception:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/packagekit/+bug/276264

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  1. Sebastian Heinlein

    Monday, 06-10-08 06:22

    @meneer R r Meneer

    You should have spent the time making offending comments in taking a look at the blueprints for Ubuntu in Launchpad instead.

    Furthermore packagekit has got a bug tracker if you see any issues with the user interface. Furthermore there is an about section at packagekit.org

  2. Meneer R R reeneM

    Thursday, 02-10-08 15:04

    Sorry if that sounded harsh.

    The point i was trying to make was that it has no focus; the gtk-interface at least. Who are they targetting .. and why ..

    It's too weak to replace synaptics .. and the interface is not as userfriendly as Ubuntu's default add/remove.

    I can understand such a project having a troublesome user interface if they pioneered the idea. But it's 2008 .. how can, with examples like Ubuntu's add/remove .. with those examples .. how could someone possibly think it this crap would be an improvement.

    EVERY DIFFERENCE between add/remove and PACKAGE-KITS interface .. ever place they decided to do something different, has been a MISTAKE.

    Why a menu? (if you need a menu .. you are doing it WRONG)
    Why a search button? (it's 2008 .. search as I type please)
    Why not the correct icons?

    There are too many sloppy and scary corners.

    If this replaces Ubuntu's add/remove in its' current form, it is a throwback to the stone ages.

    Add/Remove SOLD packagemanagement to people like my boss, my girlfriend and my mother. This just feels so extremely amateuristic .. out of touch with reality. Like the sort of visual basic app a 12 year old would make 10 years ago.

  3. meneer R r Meneer

    Thursday, 02-10-08 14:54

    Please tell me this is not replacing synaptics or ubuntu's default add/remove.

    It lacks the power usage of synaptics (pinning versions and such) .. yet its still a usuability nightmare.

    "Do you want to install this file?"

    * /apt/var/cahce/bla/bleep/bleep.computer

    Typical user responses:
    "I thought I was instalilng a program, not a file!"
    "What is /apt/var/bleep/bleep .. I thought I was installing pidgin.. "
    "Why don't programs have the same icon they get in the menu? "
    "Why aren't the programs organised like the menu? "
    "Where does 'back to overview' bring me?"

    The fact it has a menu .. YUCK. There is already a big help button.
    It's almost like a KDE app. Let duplicate functionality ALL OVER THE PLACE.

    Sorry, but package-kit seems like a nice project. It just doesn't serve a purpose. There is no target audience. It's too weird to replace add/remove .. and too weak and generic to replace synaptics.

    SO PLEASE TELL ME USAGE OF THIS IS OPTIONAL?

    Add/remove was always the main selling point.
    My MOM could use that.

    She can't use this crap.

  4. Achim Frase

    Thursday, 02-10-08 12:22

    I have installed the latest packagekit from your PPA.

    My problem is that the kernel- and ubuntu-desktop updates are blocked.

    What does that mean?

    As it seems the "normal" update-manager of ubuntu doesn't have any problems with this updates.

    Regards
    Achim

  5. David Nielsen

    Tuesday, 16-09-08 13:16

    works beautifully for me, I have been customizing my Intrepid box using this all morning. Easy as pie.
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