Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

Message
Author
fadi
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:17 pm

Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#1 Post by fadi »

Why mx package installer is not using apply instead of the two buttons, install and uninstall? the current method means I can install and uninstall packages in separate transactions . I believe it is too late to change it to the synaptic like method, isn't it?
Image

User avatar
j2mcgreg
Global Moderator
Posts: 7088
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:04 pm

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#2 Post by j2mcgreg »

fadi wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2025 9:00 am Why mx package installer is not using apply instead of the two buttons, install and uninstall? the current method means I can install and uninstall packages in separate transactions . I believe it is too late to change it to the synaptic like method, isn't it?
Image
They all have the same function IE Do This
If you want to use Synaptic instead, do so. Like MXPI or Discover in KDE, it's just a GUI for apt.
HP 15; ryzen 3 5300U APU; 500 Gb SSD; 8GB ram
HP 17; ryzen 3 3200; 500 GB SSD; 12 GB ram
Idea Center 3; 12 gen i5; 256 GB ssd;

In Linux, newer isn't always better. The best solution is the one that works.

User avatar
Eadwine Rose
Administrator
Posts: 15080
Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:10 am

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#3 Post by Eadwine Rose »

I believe you can use the install button to install OVER what is already installed.

So.. replacing it with apply means the program doesn't know if you want to reinstall, or uninstall.
MX-23.6_x64 July 31 2023 * 6.1.0-38amd64 ext4 Xfce 4.20.0 * 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 2700
Asus TUF B450-Plus Gaming UEFI * Asus GTX 1050 Ti Nvidia 535.247.01 * 2x16Gb DDR4 2666 Kingston HyperX Predator
Samsung 870EVO * Samsung S24D330 & P2250 * HP Envy 5030

User avatar
dolphin_oracle
Developer
Posts: 22601
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:17 pm

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#4 Post by dolphin_oracle »

fadi wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2025 9:00 am Why mx package installer is not using apply instead of the two buttons, install and uninstall? the current method means I can install and uninstall packages in separate transactions . I believe it is too late to change it to the synaptic like method, isn't it?
Image
Thanks for the question.

As you've probably noticed, the buttons change on function. there are two, and if you select a previously installed package, both buttons are enabled and change to "uninstall" or "reinstall". the only button enabled otherwise is install.

we only have one box mark function, on or off. synaptic has many. could our setup be different, maybe, but that's the solution we have and its worked out pretty well so far.
http://www.youtube.com/runwiththedolphin
lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 - MX-23
FYI: mx "test" repo is not the same thing as debian testing repo.
Live system help document: https://mxlinux.org/wiki/help-antix-live-usb-system/

User avatar
Adrian
Developer
Posts: 9173
Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2006 1:42 am

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#5 Post by Adrian »

I designed it like that because I found the Synaptic way potentially confusing to user, "Apply" what? Also, you'd need to right-click or have another way to select what you want to do with the package.

Just for history sake this tool was not meant to replace Synaptic (that's why we still package it) it was supposed to be an easy way to install some packages, now listed under Popular apps, in a simple way, it didn't even have the option to remove packages and all the other tabs didn't exist -- that's why is called "mx-packageinstaller" and not "mx-packagemanager" or something like that. The GUI was inspired by, some might say copied from, an old GTK program "metapackage-installer" (or meta-installer, don't remember exactly) but since I don't do GTK the entire code is written by me and has absolutely no link to that tool.

Some copied my tool and put it in an arch derived distro without any credit and removing the copyright note... but that's fine, it's better than to blame for the bugs introduced by other people.

User avatar
dolphin_oracle
Developer
Posts: 22601
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2007 12:17 pm

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#6 Post by dolphin_oracle »

Adrian wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2025 9:24 am

Some copied my tool and put it in an arch derived distro without any credit and removing the copyright note... but that's fine, it's better than to blame for the bugs introduced by other people.
:rofl: :rock:
http://www.youtube.com/runwiththedolphin
lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 - MX-23
FYI: mx "test" repo is not the same thing as debian testing repo.
Live system help document: https://mxlinux.org/wiki/help-antix-live-usb-system/

fadi
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:17 pm

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#7 Post by fadi »

Adrian wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2025 9:24 am I designed it like that because I found the Synaptic way potentially confusing to user, "Apply" what? Also, you'd need to right-click or have another way to select what you want to do with the package.
I hope you change your mind in the years to come . The synaptic method is actually more intuitive, and MXPI is now bigger than what it was intended to .

User avatar
Eadwine Rose
Administrator
Posts: 15080
Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:10 am

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#8 Post by Eadwine Rose »

It is in the eye of the beholder. You like Synaptic better, then please use that.

For me, combo. New installs are being done using MXPI because that tool does it better in some situations. I am sure some people can name a few.
MX-23.6_x64 July 31 2023 * 6.1.0-38amd64 ext4 Xfce 4.20.0 * 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 2700
Asus TUF B450-Plus Gaming UEFI * Asus GTX 1050 Ti Nvidia 535.247.01 * 2x16Gb DDR4 2666 Kingston HyperX Predator
Samsung 870EVO * Samsung S24D330 & P2250 * HP Envy 5030

User avatar
j2mcgreg
Global Moderator
Posts: 7088
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:04 pm

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#9 Post by j2mcgreg »

Eadwine Rose wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2025 10:03 am It is in the eye of the beholder. You like Synaptic better, then please use that.

For me, combo. New installs are being done using MXPI because that tool does it better in some situations. I am sure some people can name a few.
I agree. I use them interchangeably as well.
HP 15; ryzen 3 5300U APU; 500 Gb SSD; 8GB ram
HP 17; ryzen 3 3200; 500 GB SSD; 12 GB ram
Idea Center 3; 12 gen i5; 256 GB ssd;

In Linux, newer isn't always better. The best solution is the one that works.

User avatar
Stevo
Developer
Posts: 14785
Joined: Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:07 pm

Re: Apply instead of install and uninstall in package installer

#10 Post by Stevo »

fadi wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2025 9:57 am
Adrian wrote: Thu Aug 14, 2025 9:24 am I designed it like that because I found the Synaptic way potentially confusing to user, "Apply" what? Also, you'd need to right-click or have another way to select what you want to do with the package.
I hope you change your mind in the years to come . The synaptic method is actually more intuitive, and MXPI is now bigger than what it was intended to .
It's open source; and you're free to fork it.
MXPI = MX Package Installer
QSI = Quick System Info from menu
The MX Test repository is mostly backports; not the same as Debian testing

Post Reply

Return to “Software / Configuration”