Ubuntu
update-manager package

Feature request: Update Manager - "Download and Install automatically" Option for other packages

Asked by Lars Vogel

I would be great if the Update Manager provides the option to auto-update also "other updates". For security updates this option is available but not for normal packages. This seems unbalanced.

I personally have no way to evaluate if an update for a standard package is good or not and always install on my Desktop machines all updates. The constantly display popup is annoying for me. It sometimes reminds me of the Window update popup which also was annoying.

Also Firefox and Chrome are now auto-updating themself so this seems a big trend. I know that I can install another package or setup an cron job to do these updates but I think this option should also be available in the Update Manager to be more accessible.

I tried posting this feature request to the Ubuntu dev list, but it was moderated out.

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SaschaVogt (funkyfish) said : 		#1

+1 for that - would like to have it as well

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#2

I suggest you report a bug, or you can post on http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com

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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#3

The update manager is designed that way. The popup is annoying, but the rest is OK, in my opinion.

The popup will only be shown once a week or daily when there are important updates available.
Both intervals can be configured in the settings and even more finegrade with gconf.
In the list you have different sections indicating the severity of the updates. You are free to deselect any of them. This might of cause result in an unsecure system, but you have the choice.

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Lars Vogel (lars-vogel) said : 		#4

@Thomas: For security stuff the automatic option is available. Would be nice to have this also for normal package.

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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#5

Well, if you really need that, you can set the popup interval to some large value and run a cron job weekly.

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Joey Espinosa (therealjoelinux) said : 		#6

I second this. I would love to at least have the option to update automatically (like my smartphone), even if I choose not to exercise the option.

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Lars Vogel (lars-vogel) said : 		#7

@JoeLinux: You can say that you are affected by the bug: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+bug/1038069

@Thomas: I'm aware of workarounds, would be nice to have this option. I see no harm in having the option, as long as it is not set as default.

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Anton Danshin (anton-danshin) said : 		#8

+1
I want this feature!!!

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