Only install packages from *-backports when requested by the user
Currently if the Backports repository is enabled, all packages present in the pocket are considered for installation. Backports is not, by design, particularly suitable for all packages for all users. It is intended to be for users to install specific packages to gain specific features from a newer release. The goal should be for packages to only be installed when user requested or when required as a dependency of a requested package.
Blueprint information
- Status:
- Started
- Approver:
- Robbie Williamson
- Priority:
- Medium
- Drafter:
- Scott Kitterman
- Direction:
- Approved
- Assignee:
- Michael Vogt
- Definition:
- Approved
- Series goal:
- Accepted for natty
- Implementation:
-
Started
- Milestone target:
- None
- Started by
- Scott Kitterman
- Completed by
Whiteboard
The spec looks fine, thanks ScottK (renamed again for Natty))
The work for DONE is in the lp:~mvo/update-manager/not-automatic branch
The apt work may need further work items split, I have not looked into the details enough yet.
Work items:
add code to update-manager so that it looks that the version list if it comes accross pin priority 1: DONE
show priority one as available but unticked: DONE
[donkult] fix apt resolver so that it is able to resolve A depends B where B has a pin priority of 1 (and no candidate): DONE
[launchpad team] enable NotAutomatic: yes on the archive server for backports (LP: #721591): INPROGRESS
Show newer backports packages distinctively in Software Center: TODO
[kubuntu-dev] Show newer backports packages distinctively in Kpackagekit: TODO
Discussion from UDS-N:
Summary from previous discussions:
- Backports in defaults sources.list, but disabled
- Turning on backports means all backports get installed
- Not feasible for default because backports is less stable than actual release
- People want specific packages from backports (possible, but requires apt config magic)
- Debian backports pinned to priority 1 by default
- apt resolver will not pull dependencies from backports without explicitly specifying dependency as well
mvo: apt issue is deeply baked in, but we've found a simpler solution
ScottK: Goal: turn on backports by default, but not install any backports by default
What we need done:
- fix apt resolver
- change soyuz to set NotAutomatic: yes in backports release files
- add "ButAutomaticUp
Open question:
- How do backports get exposed to user? update-manager? software-center? kpackagekit?
Backports could show up in "what's new"
- Even with u-m/s-c integration, what about server experience? server target audience is sophisticated
- Need to be sure we're clear about implications of backports' potential instability
Side notes:
- ARB and Backports are two separate ways to keep release fresh
- Solution from backports session solves "where do we backport from after FF" (needs to be agreed to by Tech Board)
Upgrading from backport-
- If backport was *from* natty, you get upgraded to natty's version
- If backported from *after* natty, you get upgraded to natty-backport's version
ACTIONS:
[] If backports is turned on by default, test m-backports -> n-backports upgrade
[mpt] Figure out how to present backports in a way that's neither too scary nor too inviting
[apt developers] Fix the apt resolver issue: DONE
[] Fix update-manager to take advantage of apt API change
[] Fix software-center to take advantage of apt API change
[] Fix kpackagekit to take advantage of apt API change
[] Write helper script for exploring backported options (also other pockets? PPAs?)
Down the line: add checkbox in Launchpad to make PPA NotAutomatic and ButAutomaticUpg
Note: The needed soyuz change is tracked in bug 721591
