Please update the custom version of Ubuntu-mini 8.04 to the latest stable release of hardy

Updates on this? The dell-mini version of hardy starts to appear pretty much dead as far as development is concerned. Am I wrong? Developers?

A set of updates will be made available very soon. Sorry for the delay.

Does shortly mean that we have to wait months? How difficult is it to sync some packages from mainstream hardy (specifically firefox, thunderbird, etc). See the question:

https://answers.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+question/56156

This post is to mark the fact that not a single software update was made available for the Dell Ubuntu in 2008.

This covers the entire period from September, when the Mini 9 with Ubuntu was released to today, when I have yet to see a single auto-update.

This includes bugs that don't appear to be receiving much attention and priority as well as security fixes that have been available in the standard Ubuntu repositories for some time.

According to Fabián Rodríguez, that is the reason the update took so long:

"Feranick, I have been told Dell is holding back the updates so they happen in one single bundle instead of almost daily as it happens on vanilla Hardy. We can't say when this will happen, however I am told it should be soon.

The mini has special repositories for LPIA, that is part of the reason why this is happening."
- https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+question/56156

As the update happened on January 9th (and broke a lot of things, but that has to be left for another bug report) I am closing this bug.

Reopening, since the current version of hardy for the mini is way out of sync with generic hardy.

Wow, this makes me never want to buy a Mini. And to think I was considering it.

How out of sync are they, feranick?

Can you wipe the hard-drive and just install regular Ubuntu on the Dell mini?

Yes, absolutely. I'm running vanilla x86 Intrepid on mine just fine. The best howto with tweaks is here.

-anjilslaire

Need any more useless stuff to read on teh internetz?

> Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:20:08 +0000
> From: <email address hidden>
> To: <email address hidden>
> Subject: [Bug 301489] Re: Please update the custom version of Ubuntu-mini 8.04 to the latest stable release of hardy
>
> Can you wipe the hard-drive and just install regular Ubuntu on the Dell
> mini?
>
> --
> Please update the custom version of Ubuntu-mini 8.04 to the latest stable release of hardy
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/301489
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in The Belmont Project: Confirmed
> Status in Dell Inspiron Mini with Custom Dell UI: Confirmed
>
> Bug description:
> Looking at the various packages in the custom version of Ubuntu for the dell mini, it appears that many packages are outdated, when compared with the latest official version of hardy. Some bugs have been already filed for specific packages:
>
> kernel: https://bugs.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+bug/299708
> firefox: https://bugs.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+bug/299706
>
> However, the list is long. While hardy benefits to continue updates on several packages, I have yet to see them ported to the custom version of hardy for the dell-mini. While new features are not necessary, I am very worried about the many security vulnerabilities and stability fixes that the mini is not getting. Is there a particular reason why these fixes are not ported back to the mini-Ubuntu (besides the customization for the small screen)? Is the development for the mini-Ubuntu currently undergoing? Would it be better to go for the official 8.04 or even 8.10, which instead offer an active support?

_________________________________________________________________
Quick access to Windows Live and your favorite MSN content with Internet Explorer 8.
http://ie8.msn.com/microsoft/internet-explorer-8/en-us/ie8.aspx?ocid=B037MSN55C0701A

If you prefer an official version more optimized for netbooks (Ubuntu Netbook Remix):

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UNR

Jaunty is almost there, and I heard the UNR-Jaunty is running really well.

Craig,

Check this non comprehensive list of outstanding bugs...

#257993, #259816, #299708, #302755, #327942, #338586, #329293, #346537, #290521

I am sure there are more, based on a very single fact that I received weekly updates since January on my other generic hardy installation, and I haven't seen any coming in for the mini.

So how out sync is it? Think of it now as hardy as it was in November (or before, the kernel is still in version 2.6.24.19, when generic is currently in 2.6.24.23.)

@anjilslaire

I was just wondering. This still is not the main issue here. The main issue is that Canonical and Dell are selling a product, through a partnership, to consumers. These consumers have expectations.

I hate to bring Microsoft into this picture, but if Microsoft can issue security updates, patches, and other updates at regular intervals using Windows Update -- then so should Dell/Canonical.

Ubuntu users, and specially users that have *paid* for a Dell computer and a service, should not have to wait X amount of time to get updates, specially critical updates. Even though Thunderbird, Firefox, OpenOffice, etc. do not fall into the "critical update" category *usually* they should still remain updated out of simple respect to users (I won't go into usability).

It only looks good to keep these repositories updated regularly. If it takes more staffing on Dell's end, more automation, or something else then it probably needs to be done. I think it's long overdue.

@feranick

Thanks for the link. That is what I looking for. I found it before I saw your comment back. I'll definitely keep that in mind!

@Craig

I completely agree. Dell should absolutely provide full support for their Ubuntu Mini 9. I was just pointing out that vanilla 8.10 can be done easily.

The fact that Dell is not being timely, I heartily agree should be corrected. I chose not to wait, and went with the latest x86 version. I plan on moving to Jaunty x86 as well.

Need any more useless stuff to read on teh internetz?

> Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:52:40 +0000
> From: <email address hidden>
> To: <email address hidden>
> Subject: [Bug 301489] Re: Please update the custom version of Ubuntu-mini 8.04 to the latest stable release of hardy
>
> @anjilslaire
>
> I was just wondering. This still is not the main issue here. The main
> issue is that Canonical and Dell are selling a product, through a
> partnership, to consumers. These consumers have expectations.
>
> I hate to bring Microsoft into this picture, but if Microsoft can issue
> security updates, patches, and other updates at regular intervals using
> Windows Update -- then so should Dell/Canonical.
>
> Ubuntu users, and specially users that have *paid* for a Dell computer
> and a service, should not have to wait X amount of time to get updates,
> specially critical updates. Even though Thunderbird, Firefox,
> OpenOffice, etc. do not fall into the "critical update" category
> *usually* they should still remain updated out of simple respect to
> users (I won't go into usability).
>
> It only looks good to keep these repositories updated regularly. If it
> takes more staffing on Dell's end, more automation, or something else
> then it probably needs to be done. I think it's long overdue.
>
> --
> Please update the custom version of Ubuntu-mini 8.04 to the latest stable release of hardy
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/301489
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in The Belmont Project: Confirmed
> Status in Dell Inspiron Mini with Custom Dell UI: Confirmed
>
> Bug description:
> Looking at the various packages in the custom version of Ubuntu for the dell mini, it appears that many packages are outdated, when compared with the latest official version of hardy. Some bugs have been already filed for specific packages:
>
> kernel: https://bugs.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+bug/299708
> firefox: https://bugs.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+bug/299706
>
> However, the list is long. While hardy benefits to continue updates on several packages, I have yet to see them ported to the custom version of hardy for the dell-mini. While new features are not necessary, I am very worried about the many security vulnerabilities and stability fixes that the mini is not getting. Is there a particular reason why these fixes are not ported back to the mini-Ubuntu (besides the customization for the small screen)? Is the development for the mini-Ubuntu currently undergoing? Would it be better to go for the official 8.04 or even 8.10, which instead offer an active support?

_________________________________________________________________
Quick access to Windows Live and your favorite MSN content with Internet Explorer 8.
http://ie8.msn.com/microsoft/internet-explorer-8/en-us/i...

Reverting to Confirmed, since the hardy for the dell mini is still behind the latest version of generic hardy (8.04.3).

Ubuntu 10.04.1 LTS (Lucid Lynx) out a couple of months ago, but still no updates at all.

I gave up and installed the generic Ubuntu release a few months ago.