Hi,

I use MEPIS 7.0. I rarely need to use synaptic but since it is very powerful, I want to know how to properly use it when I do need it.

Specifically, in synap under "Settings" I notice both "Preferences" and "Repositories".

I do not want "cutting edge" stuff. If I download something from synaptic, then I want it to be a stable, safe version, even if it is not the newest. I also want it to integrate well with the OS and other things.

Under "Preferences" I see the following:

1) Prefer highest version (checked)
2) Prefer installed version
3) Prefer version from either a) stable or b) mepis

Currently #1 is selected. Would this be appropriate?

Under "Repositories" I see the following, all checked:

1) MEPIS 7.0 (mepis.com/mepis) (deb)
2) stable (debian.org/debian) (deb)
3) stable / updates (security.debian.org) (deb)
4) etch / volatile (volatile.debian.org.debian-volatile) (deb)

All are type "deb" format. Would these 4 be appropriate?

What about the other 3:

5) stable (debian.org/debian) (deb-src)
6) stable (debian-multimedia.org) (deb)
7) etch (virtualbox.org/debian) (deb)


I would appreciate your input. Also, if you know of any online resource teaching more of this subject, then I would appreciate a link.

Thanks!

i have used mepis 6.0 for a quiet some time (3yrs), i now use kubuntu 8.04 instead. i have tried mepis 7.0 when it was released, but several things did not work anymore. i don't know if that had to do with the switch back to the debian repo's, or just my lack of understanding the os. Warren (the mepis guy) used the ubuntu repos's with his 6.06 release and that worked well with my system except that i did not have proper support for all usb hardware (camera's) and i could not install certain versions of programs that i use. this was no problem under ubuntu 8.04. but to answer your question as much as i can, i think you have a good repository there and all the settings you mention seem fine to me.

question: in synaptic, how many packages are available? in a ubuntu system with all repo's uncommented it almost gives access to 25.000 (!) packages. under mepis i had almost 20.000 packages available.

if you want a stable system you should probably not check the highest version but i am not certain. i always ran unstable under mepis. from what i understand it is like this: stable, as it implies, this is the well tested ad proven to be stable software, but not entirely up to date which can sometimes lead to lack of support. then there is unstable, in here you will run fairly new software but not bleeding/cutting edge. personally i think this is what most users will use. then there is testing, and as far as i know the packages in testing will only stay there for 2 weeks and then move to unstable. if in those 2 weeks major problem arise it will not go to unstable. i would say that testing has lot of beta software that have still a few bugs.

my system rarely froze or other nasties.

hope this was a somewhat useful answer. i am a gui person myself but i do not scare away from the command line as long as i know what i am doing there and what commands to issue.

you're welcome
ron

I have no idea how many packages are available. I just have those 4 repos checked. Perhaps it is fine as is...I just wanted a 2nd opinion.

Anyone else have thoughts?

I've run a version of MEPIS as my main OS since late 2003.

You can enable all the repositories that are there except the deb-src one and Virtualbox without problems. You need the multimedia one for some codecs that are not free.
I'd recommend you have things set to Prefer versions from mepis. Check this setting each time you open Synaptic as some of us have had it change on its own.
Try our Wiki for info on software and installing it. Here http://www.mepis.org/docs/en/index.php/Main_Page
You should have a link in the Firefox that comes with MEPIS.

As an aside how can the Ububtu repositories have more programs that Debian when Ubuntu is based on Debian?

As for Stable etc.
Stable=Stable (it will have no problems. period)
Testing or Lenny=(This software is basically a release candidate)
Unstable or Sid=Code is changing and may (probably will) cause problems
(beta software)
Experimental=Alpha software

Many people use Sid for the newer versions of software. If you do you get to keep the pieces when things break.

Testing is safer but can still mess things up, just less often. It's called testing for a reason.

There is a wealth of information at www.mepislovers.org come join us.