MX Updater - replace conf file and automatic yes option in preferences

[bin]

MX21.x
I am puzzled by the entry in MX-Updater>Preferences>automatically answer 'yes' to all prompts during upgrade.

The reason I am puzzled is because if updating 'manually' when faced with FOR EXAMPLE:-

Code: Select all

Configuration file '/etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware'
 ==> Modified (by you or by a script) since installation.
 ==> Package distributor has shipped an updated version.
   What would you like to do about it ?  Your options are:
    Y or I  : install the package maintainer's version
    N or O  : keep your currently-installed version
      D     : show the differences between the versions
      Z     : start a shell to examine the situation
 The default action is to keep your current version.
*** 30_uefi-firmware (Y/I/N/O/D/Z) [default=N] ? 

the default is N - which is opposite to the suggested option in preferences.

Once upon a time I said y to one of these prompts - I have no idea what it was now - at least 10 years ago - but it broke things so I have always always always said N ever since.

Now, I suspect for stuff like Grub it probably is OK to say yes, but what if it is something else. Certainly in recent years I cannot think of other packages that have required a response - perhaps virtualbox something a few months back. The reason I ask is that I'm a great fan of unattended upgrades and this option is clearly a useful part of that. As I'm contemplating switching to GPT/EPS grub updates should no longer require me to define the boot point so should be silent.

Some other updates (though I cannot think of any right now) - may want the answer yes.

Can anyone please shed any light on this - am I barking up the tree?

[davidy]

I've seen that prompt. The purpose of updates is just that. Update to the newer files/versions. Generally speaking, one will trust them so the option to answer yes automatically is for your convenience. When I say trust them I mean the devs, the maintainers. You are making a mountain of a mole hill. Providing your system is running well, no need to question every little thing. IOW, trust is good. And so are regular backups in case something goes wrong.

[Eadwine Rose]

I always go by this: have I customized anything? If so: keep what I have.

For instance.. suppose fstab updates. I do not want to exchange my version for a standardized one.

There is a situation where I do accept changes, that is upon a new install. Nothing has been adjusted then, so it is safe to upgrade and replace. AFTER I have customized, hands off again.

So.. never will I ever accept automatic yesses. I want to have that in my own hands so I can pick and choose. For me it has nothing to do with "do I trust the devs".

[davidy]

Being the every system is different, the only person to trust is yourself. Agreeing with a prompt is meaningless.

[Adrian]

Most of the times it's best to choose N especially if you or MX customized that configuration file. Theoretical best thing (best kind of best things) would be to press D, examine the differences and see if it makes sense to accept the change, but not everyone understands diffs and configuration files... There should be an easy way to go back and forth between previous and current versions after you make a selection, but while possible, Debian is not about being easy

[Jerry3904]

I always go by this: have I customized anything? If so: keep what I have.

That's exactly what I do, but Adrian's advice is sound.

I consider that little dialog the most confusing aspect for users of Debian and therefore MX--and I keep hoping that there might be a way to show a help message when that comes up.

[fehlix]

MX21.x
I am puzzled by the entry in MX-Updater>Preferences>automatically answer 'yes' to all prompts during upgrade.

This "yes" is closly related to apt/apt-get question whether or not to proceed with package upgrade or not.

The reason I am puzzled is because if updating 'manually' when faced with FOR EXAMPLE:-

Code: Select all

Configuration file '/etc/grub.d/30_uefi-firmware'
 ==> Modified (by you or by a script) since installation.
 ==> Package distributor has shipped an updated version.
   What would you like to do about it ?  Your options are:
    Y or I  : install the package maintainer's version
    N or O  : keep your currently-installed version
      D     : show the differences between the versions
      Z     : start a shell to examine the situation
 The default action is to keep your current version.
*** 30_uefi-firmware (Y/I/N/O/D/Z) [default=N] ? 

the default is N - which is opposite to the suggested option in preferences.

This question about configuration changes is on another level, not part of the general "yes" to proceed for apt.
IN theory we could try to force to keep-old with "N" (= keep) the existing conf files, but that may not always be what the user want's, hence we kept the question.

Now, I suspect for stuff like Grub it probably is OK to say yes, but what if it is something else.

Generaly, if you have no idea what it is keep the old/existing and hit Enter (or press N/n and Enter)
Esp. for GRUB conf files adjusted by MX if overwritten with Debian's default, you may
get interesting results, with something like Debian Gnu-Linux with GRUB menu entry instead of MX Linux or in addition to.

[Eadwine Rose]

I remember an interesting result not too long ago, where loads of users had problems.

[dolphin_oracle]

its almost always correct to say No.

making these things even more rare is on the list for mx23.

[FX-Tech]

I always go by this: have I customized anything? If so: keep what I have.

For instance.. suppose fstab updates. I do not want to exchange my version for a standardized one.

That's it exactly. I have custom configs for a lot of things like samba and cups, etc. The prompts are there so that a custom config does not get overwritten.