security updates don't get installed automatically

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Hi,
I think it could be a missinterpretation. Could be btw. a task for translation.

Case: Install sec updates without confirmation ##but tell me about it first
What happens if you just click on the red arrow, will the update list appear or does it install right away if inserting your password.
The other case in which I want to receive a message only, I will first view the list, apply and insert password.

It seems installing without confirmation and telling about availability are two different things.
That's my thought at the moment.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticHowto#How%20to%20keep%20your%20system%20up-to-date,%20including%20the%20Kernel

I am not using a localized language so I don't think it's a translation issue.

"Installation" is, in my opinion, commonly established as the process of copying files and performing any required initializations. Are you saying that in the above context it is to be understood as "show an icon if something is ready to be installed"?

Sorry, I've been thinking loud, btw. could_be a translation task, not suggesting that you run a localized version.
And yes the "icon" informs the user there're updates to install.
My idea would be:
Installation without confirmation:
No installation without password, hence, information about updates through this red arrow symbol (are security updates), installation right away after inserting password without showing a list of available updates.
With confirmation:
Click on red arrow symbol shows list of available updates first, e.g. apps could be unchecked, then apply=confirm, then password prompt, then installation.

Your suggestion sounds good to me.

It also strengthens my belief that the current behaviour is a bug. "Automatically install updates" must not ask for a password and cannot just show an icon. It has to *install* the updates using dpkg, and it has to do so *automatically*, that is, without required user interaction.

Hence, I intent to reopen this as a bug unless someone objects in the next days.

>"Automatically install updates" must not ask for a password

Nikolaus,
simple answer, since one has to be root to install via package and update manager (security and verification reasons) password is required.

Alternate answer:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AutomaticSecurityUpdates
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Security

The setting we are talking about can be found under Administration -> Software Sources, so I don't see any connection with update-manager. I would expect the dialog to set up a cron-job for apt-get (presumably the way it is described in the first link, I didn't read it completely).

>I don't see any connection with update-manager

Nikolaus,
first:
quote of Synaptic link mentioned above:
Synaptic is a graphical front-end to apt, the package management system in Ubuntu. It combines the point-and-click simplicity of the graphical user interface with the power of the apt-get command line tool.
Synaptic works hand-in-hand with Update-Notifier and Update-Manager to inform you about updates to the software installed on your system.
Update-Notifier displays an icon in the notification area when updates are available. It will display a pop-up message and an icon in the notification area on your GNOME desktop.

second:
a cron-job weekly, daily or whatever is a script which includes commands that don't need interacting from user side when executed once.
Hence the front ends have to execute the scripts which underlay the process behind the GUI, in question is the unclear speech of GUI configuration and if it does execute commands as described.

>still wants me to install some security updates manually

From what I've read so far, this can be the case for certain packages.

So now, take your time and have a coffe, I've found some bugs and wishlists that might interest you:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt/+bug/299360
quote: turned out, /etc/cron.daily/apt is not marked as executable on my system

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/software-properties/+bug/88278

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-notifier/+bug/253412

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+bug/185122

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/software-properties/+bug/184226/comments/5

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/synaptic/+bug/96705

http://packages.ubuntu.com/intrepid/cron-apt
quote: By default it just updates the package list and download new packages without installing

Hi Sam,

I am sorry, but I do not understand what you are trying to tell me. I know how the Ubuntu package management works and what the different components do. I also fail to understand why you are throwing all these mostly unrelated bugs at me.

Could you try to explain your point again? What I am saying is that the option "Automatically install updates" should do what it says and automatically (without user interaction) install (invoke dpkg --install) all security updates?

Best,
Nikolaus

Hi Nikolaus,
my point was to show the confusion of what it says and what it does.
Is /etc/cron.daily/apt executable?

>>still wants me to install some security updates manually

Does it install some security updates without intervention and some not?

Yes, /etc/cron.daily/apt is executable.

I don't think that any updates are installed without intervention. But then, if some were, I wouldn't notice it, so how can I tell?

I'd suggest to check in /var/log