Saving Synaptic selections for clean install

fpd · 05-23-2007, 11:57 AM

Is there a method to save my current Synaptic choices (perhaps to a file) so I can have the same packages added/removed on my next Mepis clean installation?

This is not a backup/restore or a re-master question.

pljvaldez · 05-23-2007, 01:47 PM

On Debian based machines I do the following.

To save your choices:

Code:

dpkg --get-selections >myselections.txt

To restore:

Code:

dpkg --set-selections <myselections.txt
dselect update
apt-get dselect-upgrade

Note that you can even transfer the file to a different machine to make identical installs. Although it doesn't take care of cloning config files, it will at least give you the same package set.

fpd · 05-24-2007, 09:17 AM

Thank you for the help pljvaldez.

archtoad6 · 05-24-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pljvaldez

Although it doesn't take care of cloning config files, it will at least give you the same package set.

Nor will it guarantee the same versions of the pkgs.

mepnoob2005 · 06-01-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpd

Is there a method to save my current Synaptic choices (perhaps to a file) so I can have the same packages added/removed on my next Mepis clean installation?

This is not a backup/restore or a re-master question.

You may like my method. I just use k3b to copy all the debs that I have downloaded onto a cd. Then I use the cd to install all the debs in 'synaptic/edit/add cdrom' from the cd. You can find all of the debs that you have in /var/cache/apt/archives. That way is easiest I think.

archtoad6 · 06-01-2007, 07:29 PM

Also check out apt-cacher.

fpd · 06-02-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mepnoob2005

You may like my method. I just use k3b to copy all the debs that I have downloaded onto a cd. Then I use the cd to install all the debs in 'synaptic/edit/add cdrom' from the cd. You can find all of the debs that you have in /var/cache/apt/archives. That way is easiest I think.

Excellent idea. However; I neglected to save any downloads, and used apt-clean as well. The deb directory you mention is empty on my box. I will keep this in mind for my next full install.

archtoad6 · 06-03-2007, 08:25 AM

A. What is wrong w/ post #2 for what you are trying to do?

B. Are you aware of dpgk -l? It will show a fairly comprehensive state of your system's packages. You can redirect it to a file or pipe it to a pager (e.g. less). If you use less, I suggest the following to be able to see all of the the info:

Code:

COLUMNS=160 dpgk -l  | less -S#37

fpd · 06-03-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archtoad6

A. What is wrong w/ post #2 for what you are trying to do?

B. Are you aware of dpgk -l? It will show a fairly comprehensive state of your system's packages. You can redirect it to a file or pipe it to a pager (e.g. less). If you use less, I suggest the following to be able to see all of the the info:

Code:

COLUMNS=160 dpgk -l  | less -S#37

A. Nothing is wrong. I have not installed a new version yet. I have the "--get-selections" data in a file, and updated it whenever I do any Synaptic update.

B. I like the output of the 'dpkg -l' - Can the data be used for the purpose of updating the list of apps I want when I do a new-version install?

archtoad6 · 06-05-2007, 10:30 AM

I'm sure it could be, it just would need "massaging" into the correct format for the installer/pkg._mgr. you intend to use. One of the benefits I see is that the ver. info. is there, so pinning would be possible.