Compatibility with Debian & upgrading

locale?
I don't know the answer to that.
upgrading works fine for me, but when I had an install with no locale set it didn't work. I reinstalled and it worked so I didn't fiddle any more with 'locale'
Liz

Thank you for your reaction!

I have solved this problem with
dpkg-reconfigure locales

But my most important question still exists: can MEPIS be upgraded and maintained by only using apt-get debian sources?

I don't want to upgrade each time after burning a cdr...

I upgrade using KPackage all the time. I believe it uses the same sources that apt-get does for its package list. Matter of fact I just did an upgrade using KPackage, in combination with apt-get, last night. Read the thread here - http://www.mepis.org/node/view/963

Having said that, I have always stayed clear of the "distribution upgrade" no matter if it's apt-get or KPackage in a Debian distro or slapt-get or swaret in Slackware. If things have progressed that far I usually just re-install and I don't format my home drive, that way all of "my" stuff is preserved anyway (of course I back it up to CD first).

Also, if you have the MEPIS CD # 2, I would use it to add/upgrade programs FIRST. CD #2 contains "MEPISised" versions of SEVERAL programs that you can install straight from the CD using KPackage. Then after you've gotten all the programs from there that you want just change your source list to the internet and then do the Special --> APT:Debian --> Update thing in KPackage and see all the programs that are available over the 'net.

If you need any more help with that part of it, just post back and I'll be glad to walk you through it.

Later,
MYoung
_____________________________________________________________

I don't work here. I'm a consult.

I upgrade with apt-get or synaptic and I am already running 3.1.5 too. I know how to handle with apt-get. (I know Debian already very good)

But I want a debian-distribution that can be upgraded all the time (for the rest of the time this computer lives) without using these cd's.

When a distribution contains too much MEPISised tools or too much KNOPPIXsised tools, you can't. Because of all these automatic-configuration tools and so on...

I've compiled 2.6 kernel now, with this result: no network, no sound, black screen on start up.

MEPIS was the first distribution that recognised my nforce2-onboard LAN connector (nvnet module) and that's really beautiful.

But I'll want to run kernel 2.4.24 or 2.6.0 with KDE3.2 (when it comes out) without having to burn new cd's. It's possible with a pure, 100% debian. But is it also possible with MEPIS....?
I just want to know. And how if it is?

Greetz

--
Jabber:
LinuxUser: #310384

It is possible to do this in Mepis with a little work, yes compiling new kernels is not easy, you may have to download and compile in additional drivers for your hardware and the lot manually, kde 3.2 shouldn`t be any problem.

However, it would be a lot easier if we had our own Mepis repositories and didn`t have to depend strictly on the Debian ones.

We can do this and this is a planned project in the future. The main holdup right now is getting the mirrors to host the packages and even the bigger problem I think right now is getting enough volunteers who are willing to take care of keeping the packages up to date.

http://www.mepis.org/node/view/849

Right now there doesn`t seem much interest in helping to do something like this. I know I would be willing to take care of a group. It would also get rid of the need to have a second CD.

Maybe, a better plan would be to have our own apt source for the Mepis tools and packages that are different for Mepis, than the rest of the applications users can get from the debian sources, that would cut the ammount of work, bandwidth and the mirrors wouldn`t be busy all the time.

---------------------------------------------
Registered Linux User #341789
Live from Okazaki, Japan

Stand Up and Be Counted Faithful Linux User
http://counter.li.org

MEPIS.org does not work all the thime, it's the third time I couldn't reach it...

I know upgrading to 3.2KDE is possible, but upgrading the kernel of mepis is too difficult... I would indeed be a lot better if MEPIS didn't have to depend only on the official apt-sources.

But I think its not necessary to host al apps. If you set dependencies and so on good enough, a server with only the MEPISsed tools and the special kernel will be enough. But that's maybe difficult too, as unstable (sid) changes every week/day. Mirrors could not be a problem.... Berlios, sourceforge, ... will support linux apt-repositories but then Warren have to decide to deploy his tools under GPL.

It seems indeed there is little interest in helping to do something like this. I will, but I haven't the knowledge and I am already planning to contribute elsewhere... I want to do some documentation of MEPIS-tools or adapting an excisting Debian-book (copyleft?) but then I think my English isn't good enough...

In the meantime, I will use MEPIS as the mainstream system for my dad and mum (will be an VIA EPIA M1000, I hope that system will be compatible) and install gentoo on this desktop because I need a system which is 100% future-proof.

Is it possible to run a router/divx/dvd/crossover office (word) box combination on that via epia? with MEPIS? and with guarddog, vnc,ssh and so on... or are there better solutions/distributions?

Jabber-ID:
LinuxUser: #310384

I think MEPIS user-base is also too small at this moment. A lot of people try it, but as you said, nobody seems interested to contribute...
Only you, MYoung and some other people I see regulary posting on this forum....
Compare it with forum.gentoo.org

Jabber-ID:
LinuxUser: #310384

Sorry, it`s been going in and out recently, It`s because Warren`s in the process of moving everything over to a better server. We`re going to be changing the forums over to PhpBB in the near future, too. Once the new server is full up.

I know, I just upgraded my kernel to 2.6 yesterday, everthing works except sound, and mouse wheel (which I fixed by a post in this forum) think I need to do a mod update still for that, but I followed Hard_Candys way in the Documentation Forum and kept my link for both Kernel 2.4 and 2.6 in Lilo, so I`m still able to boot 2.4 until I get the sound fixed. But, I know this is no task for a convert. It wouldn`t really help to have the repositories up and running now though, since a pre-built Mepis 2.6 kernel is not done yet. But, it would be nice to have for the Upgrade feature in Apt as you said.
--------------------------------------------
Registered Linux User #341789
Live from Okazaki, Japan

Stand Up and Be Counted Faithful Linux User
http://counter.li.org

>Mirrors could not be a problem .... ,but then Warren would have to decide to deploy his tools under GPL.

This is not exactly true. Debian is Loaded with a whole section of Non-Free and Commercial Apps and it`s on mirrors all over the world. It`s mostly just getting the people around to get a project going. I know right know Warren is real busy with the new server, new forum, new kernel, still debugging 2003-10 and working on building up an Alpha for the next major release. To start-up another project like this now.

-------------------------------------------
Registered Linux User #341789
Live from Okazaki, Japan

Stand Up and Be Counted Faithful Linux User
http://counter.li.org

I had the same error, and tried to fix it with 'dpkg-reconfigure locales', but the same error message still occurs.?? Anybody got another fix?

I am quite good at breaking Mepis... us damn dumb newbies ahve that sort of problem thats why i have to leave it alone or just use Xandros or Lindows with their OS specific debian pools . There was some talk of Mepis getting it's own specific debian pool and till then I am not risking updating anything
Thats only cause I am too new to work it out.. others seem to survive ok but no me...
By By Billy Boy Time to Boot Windows out the door for good

I have been playing with Mepis lately, and have been very impressed with how easy it is to install, and how good it is at detecting my hardware on the machines I have tried it on. Unfortunately, I have just discovered that it is *not* compatible with Debian (which the whole reason I looked at Mepis in the first place). For me, this is a deal-breaker.

No matter how nice Mepis is, it's a small project -- it does not have the huge user base and support that Fedora or Debian have. That's okay as long as Mepis is compatible with one of the larger projects, but if it's not, and Warren decides to switch to a Mac and forget all this Linux nonsense, what then? Without being able to safely update it using apt-get, there's no way I would trust this to my home network, much less the servers I am setting up at work.

That's the whole point of Debian: it's solid, it's stable, and it's easy to maintain. Breaking Debian compatibility breaks Mepis: it renders it a hobbyist distribution, suitable for tinkering, but not for serious work.

I hope Warren reconsiders this course of action. I was really impressed with Mepis until I discovered this.

I am very impressed with it too.. it just seems at the moment you have to be pretty careful with any sort of upgrade to stuff... I find as a fairly new Linux convert that the docs and website are a little difficult to fine my way around... It took me ages to find the posts on the best way to update Mepis in it's latest version to me this should be emblazend accross the front page in big letters took me over 30 minutes of hunting and reading posts and then it didnt work.. found a reference to others have the same issue (you hit yes and it aborts all the time ) but there didnt seem to be a reply to fix it... I am sticking with Lindows and Xandros at the moment till these update issues are sorted.. I still run Mepis?? on my other machine cause i like it so much but I am so put of trying to update anything.
I cant wait for the next version to be released hopefully with kde 3.2 and the latest kernal sometime soon.. I am sure then things will work out ok.
I believe Mepis has a huge potential but i did see that Warren mentioned something about the Debian Pool has changed alot in the last few months and this has cause alot of hassles...?? It is too good a distro for this one issue to stuff it up for too long
By By Billy Boy Time to Boot Windows out the door for good