Ubuntu
update-manager package

How to execute full automatic updates?

Asked by kopolov

I have been installing Ubuntu 9.04 for friends/family (currently about 12 machines with various hardwares).
These people are what you can say, the average computer user. They do not wish to handle any command line execution. They only work with GUI and all they wish for is for it to "just work" (Web browsing, word processing, spreadshits, presentations, movies, music and thats about it).
One of my current problem is the fact that whenever there are updates, they usually call me and ask me what to do.
I wanted to know if there is an option for full auto-update. Preferably from the GUI (though I have no problem with executing command line on my own machines, I really hate to use scripts on other machines).
When I talk about auto-update, I am referring to all available updates which are shown in the update manager, not just security updates.
I trust these users not to install anything which is not through the "Add/Remove" (synaptic is too complicated for that level of user, not to mention deb package on the web or tarballs).
One of my goals is to help spread Ubuntu in my area, and when a user sees the update window he usually freaks out. He won't care if his computer will tell him to "restart" (since they usually turn of their computers once a day at least).

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Ubuntu update-manager Edit question
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Jeruvy
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marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#1

Please tell: the menu System→Administration→Update manager is not what are you looking for...?

Or do you want to make all updates without any user's action...?

Thank you

Revision history for this message
kopolov (kopolov) said : 		#2

Make all updates without any user's action.
I can give the example of my parents - they have win XP. The system is
configured to automatically updates. If the computer restart, when it comes
back up there is a small message from the system telling the computer was
updated.
But they don't care about it. As long as it works, they don't care if they
need to reopen firefox, or my mom needs to reopen the excel file she was
working on.
On the other hand, I've just installed Jaunty to my wife's sister. You are
talking about a major technophobic persona. As long as it "just works" - no
problem. Once the update manager popped, she started nagging me.
When I need to travel to 12 different places in order to update the machines
only because some firefox update was released, it can be annoying.
I saw a solution through using a script connected to cron, but I don't like
it.
Ubuntu is aimed at becoming a full desktop integrated environment (and doing
gr8 at it). This means that all options and solutions should be available
through the GUI (most people feel very "techi" if they know which checkbox
to mark :) ).
I use Ubuntu a lot (4 machines at home and work - 1 server, 3 desktops) so I
am used to command line execution as well.
But in order to reach the common user (or even the common PC technician) and
making him wants it, it should be GUI (as well as command line).

On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 9:44 AM, marcobra (Marco Braida) <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #84946 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/84946
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> marcobra (Marco Braida) requested for more information:
> Please tell: the menu System→Administration→Update manager is not what
> are you looking for...?
>
> Or do you want to make all updates without any user's action...?
>
> Thank you
>
> --
> To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
> this email or enter your reply at the following page:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/84946
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
pablitofuerte (pablitofuerte) said : 		#3

You can install security automatic updates...
System→Administration→Update sources

Updates (Automatic updates): Install security updates without prompt

Revision history for this message
kopolov (kopolov) said : 		#4

Sorry, but this does not answer my need.
Security updates are not the only updates.
I am looking for an option to install ALL(!) updates (security +
recommended) automatically (using a GUI option).

On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 3:27 PM, pablitofuerte <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #84946 on update-manager in ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/84946
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> pablitofuerte proposed the following answer:
> You can install security automatic updates...
> System→Administration→Update sources
>
> Updates (Automatic updates): Install security updates without prompt
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
>
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/84946/+confirm?answer_id=2
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/update-manager/+question/84946
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

Revision history for this message
Best Jeruvy (jeruvy) said : 		#5

I am not aware of any method within Ubuntu to do this the way you like. Sorry.

I could mention that having users do updates 'when they boot up' may be very resource intensive, and could lead to other issues with users 'freaking out'. In my experience in converting the masses to Ubuntu this concern has never been brought up. Twice out of the close to 100 converts I've done have actually contacted me to say 'I clicked on the updates available icon and it asked me to update, should I?' and I say 'Sure, but make sure you are not working on anything at the time and wait until it completes. If it's not a good time, then leave it for later.' Many tell me they just did it and were very surprised at 1) how easy it was and 2) that they did not have to reboot (unless there was a kernel update).

As long as the security updates are done automatically, the rest are lower priority. Kernel updates also should be considered 'low priority' unless the user 'really needs a fix' from the latest kernel. But it's best to stay current. But in some odd cases functionality that changes how an application works could cause more 'freak outs'. Heck here on answers we see many such examples.

It could be worthwhile adding a request to Blueprints, since it's not a bad idea to have such an option in my mind.

Good luck.

Revision history for this message
kopolov (kopolov) said : 		#6

I'll try the way you suggested.
Thx.