[SOLVED] Future of web access to Slackware ChangeLogs

FlinchX · 03-22-2020, 03:27 AM

Was reading the news earlier today, bumped into this https://www.ghacks.net/2020/03/19/mo...x-web-browser/ which reminded me that the links to Slackware ChangeLogs here http://www.slackware.com/changelog/ are FTP links. Can this become an issue someday, or the links will just change to http(s):// then?

ZhaoLin1457 · 03-22-2020, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlinchX

Was reading the news earlier today, bumped into this https://www.ghacks.net/2020/03/19/mo...x-web-browser/ which reminded me that the links to Slackware ChangeLogs here http://www.slackware.com/changelog/ are FTP links. Can this become an issue someday, or the links will just change to http(s):// then?

There's also FTPS, which is FTP with SSL encryption, like is HTTPS for HTTP.

Maybe is time for Mr. Volkerding to consider the switching to FTPS on his servers?

ehartman · 03-22-2020, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlinchX

the links to Slackware ChangeLogs here http://www.slackware.com/changelog/ are FTP links. Can this become an issue someday

I read the ChangeLogs directly from ftp.slackware.com and using i.e. wget that will work still. My own mirror Slackware scripts works purely on wget

Quote:

wget -N ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-$ver/ChangeLog.\*
and
wget -nc ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-$ver/patches/packages/\*.t\?\?

so I'm not dependant on what mozilla does or does not.

PS: the -N switch makes sure I only download it when it's newer then the one I already got.

karlmag · 03-22-2020, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehartman

I read the ChangeLogs directly from ftp.slackware.com and using i.e. wget that will work still. My own mirror Slackware scripts works purely on wget

so I'm not dependant on what mozilla does or does not.

PS: the -N switch makes sure I only download it when it's newer then the one I already got.

Any particular reason (besides 'old habit') that you are not using rsync - at least for the full tree updates?

Thanks
--
KarlMag

Skaendo · 03-22-2020, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlinchX

Was reading the news earlier today, bumped into this https://www.ghacks.net/2020/03/19/mo...x-web-browser/ which reminded me that the links to Slackware ChangeLogs here http://www.slackware.com/changelog/ are FTP links. Can this become an issue someday, or the links will just change to http(s):// then?

Why not just use a feed reader? Personally I use QuiteRSS.

Tonus · 03-22-2020, 06:32 AM

Newsbeuter here for rss feeds.
Integrates nicely with a few neomutt tabbed windows...
For syncing, rsync, learnt reading Alien Bob sync scripts. Is there something like ssl rsync?

ehartman · 03-22-2020, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlmag

Any particular reason (besides 'old habit') that you are not using rsync - at least for the full tree updates?

Because I do not update the full tree, for instance, I normally do not need the sources. And from the "main" dir I only get the ChangeLog, not all other files that may or may not have been updated.
I only get "what I need" to have a (for me) functional update tree.

ehartman · 03-22-2020, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonus

Is there something like ssl rsync?

The default usage by rsync is ssh/scp, so no need for a ssl one.

karlmag · 03-22-2020, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehartman

Because I do not update the full tree, for instance, I normally do not need the sources.
I only get "what I need" to have a (for me) functional update tree.

Ok,
Well, just to knit som picks; you have many ways to do only partial trees with rsync. Either by just pointing to the subtree(s) you need, or using the --include and --exclude options. I'd encourage you to have a look at it. I have seen it described as "best thing since sliced bread" (or some such :-D ) May end up saving some bandwith over time too since it only copies what it needs to over the wire.

Thanks
--
KarlMag

_peter · 03-22-2020, 08:51 AM

if your concern FlinchX is accessing Slackware ChangeLogs via https:// rather than ftp:// , this works in firefox or chrome, no ? thanks to osuosl.org

https://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/slackware.../ChangeLog.txt

the main Slackware url up-haul has been discussed in that forum i guess.

average_user · 03-22-2020, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlinchX

Was reading the news earlier today, bumped into this https://www.ghacks.net/2020/03/19/mo...x-web-browser/ which reminded me that the links to Slackware ChangeLogs here http://www.slackware.com/changelog/ are FTP links.

How is http://www.slackware.com/changelog/c...php?cpu=x86_64 FTP link? You probably didn't notice that the bold text that says 'x86 (32-bit) Architecture' is a link itself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlinchX

Can this become an issue someday, or the links will just change to http(s):// then?

Just say goodbye to ftp forever:

https:/mywiki.wooledge.org/FtpMustDie
https:/www.debian.org/news/2017/20170425
https:/www.kernel.org/shutting-down-ftp-services.html

ehartman · 03-22-2020, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlmag

I'd encourage you to have a look at it. I have seen it described as "best thing since sliced bread" (or some such :-D )

I do use rsync (a lot) for other cases, just not for this mirror.
My scripts work, and "when it ain't broken, don't fix it" applies.

FlinchX · 03-22-2020, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by average_user

You probably didn't notice that the bold text that says 'x86 (32-bit) Architecture' is a link itself.

This is indeed funny but for years I was treating those just as bold text, despite the fact that them being underlined (now that you pointed my attention to that!) should've provided a hint about them being links, and was clicking on the ftp links under them.

Thank you, I'll mark the thread solved.

karlmag · 03-22-2020, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehartman

I do use rsync (a lot) for other cases, just not for this mirror.
My scripts work, and "when it ain't broken, don't fix it" applies.

I'm laz^Woperating like that too...
After posting initially I kind of realized that you probably already knew about rsync and it's goodness, but you don't always know for sure. Also, there are tools I do use, maybe daily but never use or even know about the more powerful functions they have to offer. I can't imagine that being different for most people really.
I have too many scripts I probably *should* have rewritten, but they work well enough so meh..

--
KarlMag

drgibbon · 03-24-2020, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonus

Newsbeuter here for rss feeds.
Integrates nicely with a few neomutt tabbed windows...
For syncing, rsync, learnt reading Alien Bob sync scripts. Is there something like ssl rsync?

FYI Newsbeuter development has moved over to Newsboat, I seem to remember Newsbeuter having some security issues that Newsboat has since fixed.