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How to get useful bug fixes for KDE 4.4. without automatically upgrading to 4.5?

Hello everybody

At my main desktop 'production' partition I work with Kubuntu Karmic.
In December 2009, I added via "Adept" this backport to the list of
'software resources' from which to take automatic updates:
<a href="http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu" title="http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu">http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu</a>
I did so at that moment with a view to upgrading to KDE 4.3, which was
a stable version with several useful bug fixes and good new features.
My experience with KDE 4.3. was simply good - already immediately
after installing it.  That's why, I maintained the backport at the
software resources list, because I thought I would need it for regular
updates for KDE 4.3. That's why a whole bunch of updates came in last
week: an automatic upgrade to KDE 4.4. Along with that upgrade, some
complications came in as well. I did manage to find some 'workarounds'
for all of them - I wrote about them in another recent thread
dedicated to this issue. However, I needed a few hours to find those
workarounds - in a period full of time pressure because of several
deadlines I need to deal with. Now, I am fine, though KDE 4.4. still
has some rough edges I need to work 'around' - that's why, I do want
to get bug fix and security updates for it, if any. On the other hand,
I do not want to get a new KDE upgrade before I will upgrade myself my
production partition to Kubuntu 10.04 LTS.  That's why I am wondering
how I can safeguard and stabilise this production partition in this
fabric of circumstances, for the time being. I see a few options:

IMMEDIATELY CLOSING THE BACKPORT?
After the automatic upgrade to KDE 4.4., I read several warnings not
to keep open a backport at a production machine.
For sure I will shut down the backport at the production partition
after the upgrade to Kubuntu 10.04 LTS, probably in May 2010.

@ Dotan and other developers: at my desktop PC, I have another
partition at which I still have Kubuntu 7.10, which I do not use any
more. I am happy to install at that partition in a later stage
experimental software with a view to evaluating it and filling in bug
reports. I will come back to this, when relevant.

With respect to the production partition: I am doubting whether it is
wise to close the backport already now. My configuration has upgraded
now to KDE 4.4. I do not want to make complications with a view to
rolling back that upgrade. I am wondering how I can get useful bug
fixes for KDE 4.4., without getting a new automatic upgrade to KDE
4.5.

KEEPING THE BACKPORT OPEN UNTIL THE UPGRADE TO THE STABLE VERSION OF
KUBUNTU 10.04 LTS?
I am considering this option with a view to getting useful bug fixes
and security updates for KDE 4.4. On the other hand, I am not waiting
for another time consuming upgrade to KDE 4.5. at my production
partition. So, my question is: will there be any backport upgrade to
KDE 4.5. before June 2010? If so, let me know please, when, so that I
can close the backport in time.

ANY OTHER APPROACH YOU COULD RECOMMEND ME?
Is there any other possible approach you could recommend me with a
view to getting useful updates for KDE 4.4 without upgrading to 4.5?

WHAT ABOUT THE NETBOOK (Asus Eee PC 1001 HA)?
This netbook, mentioned in another thread, will also be a production
machine. What would you recommend me to do after installing Kubuntu
Karmic:
* sticking to the KDE version coming with the install and 'normal' updates?
* upgrading to KDE 4.3?
* any other option?

OK, this is it for now. Thanks for your your possible feedback,
respectfully yours,

Bas.

Comments

Re: How to get useful bug fixes for KDE 4.4. without automatical

By Clay Weber at 02/15/2010 - 11:47

Basically, don't enable these ppa's at all if stability this is your main
concern. 4.3.5 made it to the (non-ppa) regular backports repo after some
testing time in the ppa, and I assume that 4.4 will eventually move there as
well. I am looking for some clarification on this. I am working on a wiki page
to help with this.

Re: How to get useful bug fixes for KDE 4.4. without automatical

By Clay Weber at 02/15/2010 - 12:05

responding to myself with further info

4.4 won't be moved out of the ppa as it upgrades qt to 4.6, which could break
non-kde apps that rely on the version in karmic

4.5 won't be made available for karmic, and as Lucid will have 4.4, this
should not be an issue if you don't use ppa's then. 4.4 will be available in
the ppa for Karmic at least until after work begins on Lucid+1

Re: How to get useful bug fixes for KDE 4.4. without automatical

By Bas Roufs at 02/15/2010 - 12:51

Hello Clay and Everybody

In general, I would agree with this taking into account what happened
last week. On the other hand: I have now a KDE 4.4. configuration at
the desktop and I do not want to roll it back to 4.3. That's why I am
looking for some way to keep receiving updates for 4.4. without
upgrading to 4.5. - until I have everything closed.

(snip)

Does this imply that:

... I can keep the ppa (backport) open before I will upgrade from
Karmic to Lucid in May, in order to receive updates for KDE 4.4., but
without being upgraded to 4.5?
... I can safely close the backport at my production partition after
upgrading to Lucid?

Do you mean that 4.3.5. is now a part of the normal Karmic repository?
In other words: if I fresh- install Kubuntu Karmic (Netbook remix) at
my new netbook and afterwords install all the updates, the netbook
will have a configuration with KDE 4.3.5.?

Thanks, respectfully yours,

Bas.

Re: How to get useful bug fixes for KDE 4.4. without automatical

By Clay Weber at 02/15/2010 - 15:04

If you keep the ppa, then at some point that ppa will have newer KDE releases
for Lucid. 4.5 is still a ways off, btw, there isn't even a release schedule
for it as far as I can see.

yes, unless you want newer versions quicker

Only if you enable the "Unsupported Updates" in Kpackagekit - this is the
Ubuntu backports repository