Hidden Linux : Replicating software setups
Having used Kubuntu for a year or so now, I've added hundreds of extra applications to the default installation -- everything from Kstars to Scribus. Now, wanting to replicate that setup on my not-always-connected laptop, I'm faced with either missing something "essential" or wading through menus and making notes. Or am I...?
Actually, I need just need the two commands;
dpkg --get-selections > swlist
and
dpkg --set-selections < swlist
The first, run on the machine to be replicated, saves a list of all installed software to the file "swlist". The second, run on the target machine, adds those selections into the 'software required' repository.
Now running;
apt-get dselect-upgrade
will add any software in "swlist" that isn't currently installed. Simple as that!
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Comments
Use AptOnCD to Backup and Restore the repository. ALSO its great for adding in 3rd Party debs.
(1) Start a backup
(2) Drag the "extra" deb files into the AptOnCd's file window.
(3) Burn (it will create multiple CDs or DVDs) and finish with K3b
Then all you do at the target PC is RESTORE and your travelling apts are merged with what's there.
Great for upgrading multiple PCs with a newer version.
Posted by: Lindsay, Vancouver BC, Canada | March 17, 2008 11:36 PM
After doing a quick 'apt-cache search apt-proxy' I found apt-cacher. 'apt-cache show apt-cacher' reads very much like what you would be after Alkaif.
Posted by: Dean | September 19, 2007 5:12 PM
hmm thats a nice tip, but i was wondering, how does one go about creating a locally hosted repo? so then the update server (locally hosted) downloads the update/package and keeps it there and then my little computer will connect to the update server at home and download it from there? I've got a method, but it just does not work.
The only way i see it working is if i mirror the entire update server from australia (thanks to xtra, i cant download from NZ mirrors above 50kb/sec while aus ones go around 800kb/sec). But that itself would mean my dsl would be constantly used for updates.
If you know a way, can you lemme know please :)
Posted by: Alkaif | September 11, 2007 9:46 AM
That is a COOL tip ! :-)
Posted by: Adrian | August 23, 2007 9:06 PM
I was wondering where it saves the swlist file - turns out its saved in the users home dir. So might pay to mention that the file needs to be transfered from donor pc to target pc ( same dir ) before the last command is run.
Posted by: chris | August 22, 2007 5:43 PM