All Extra Software on a CD

[Spyder_Snyper]

Hey all...

So I have a very limited amount of bandwidth that I can safely use every month, so I can only download so much in 1 month. I am currently in the process of getting a desktop up and running with Kubuntu, and all the little extras that I want/need.

I also want to get 2 additional computers running with more or less the same configuration with more or less the same apps, updates, extras, etc...

I DEFINITELY need to keep the downloads to a minimum. So all the big apps and downloads can only be downloaded once, but needs to be put onto 3 different computers.

So here's my question(s)...

How can I do that? My thought is to get my one desktop up and running the way I want it to, and then take a look at all the packages that were installed above and beyond the initial Kubuntu installation. Then download all those packages onto a CD or DVD or multiples... Then use THOSE CD(s)/DVD(s) on the other computers as a source for the packages.

I have NO idea how to accomplish it, but that's my idea. PLUS, it would make a great reinstall CD/DVD in the event of catastrophe.

All that being said, there might even be an easier/simpler/quicker way to do all that, and I'm just not aware of it...

So if anyone's got any advice/help/info for me in this, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[dibl]

Re: All Extra Software on a CD

Here's one approach:

http://aptoncd.sourceforge.net/

I'm sure there are more ....

[eddieg780]

Re: All Extra Software on a CD

I like on-disk for great stuff on cd. Here is the entire repository for 9.04 up to June 1, 2009. Hope this helps.

http://on-disk.com/product_info.php/products_id/789

[Little Girl]

Re: All Extra Software on a CD

So I have a very limited amount of bandwidth that I can safely use every month, so I can only download so much in 1 month. I am currently in the process of getting a desktop up and running with Kubuntu, and all the little extras that I want/need.

I also want to get 2 additional computers running with more or less the same configuration with more or less the same apps, updates, extras, etc...

I DEFINITELY need to keep the downloads to a minimum. So all the big apps and downloads can only be downloaded once, but needs to be put onto 3 different computers.

This should work:

• Copy all the .deb files you'd like to share with the other computers from your /var/cache/apt/archives into a directory.
• Burn those files onto the CD.
• Open a terminal window and type sudo apt-cdrom add to add the CD ROM to /etc/apt/sources.list, or edit the sources.list file manually by typing kdesudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list and uncommenting the line that starts with #deb cdrom: (which should be the first line of the file) by removing the # from the beginning of the line, and save and exit the file.
• Type sudo apt-get update to refresh the list of available repositories.
• Close the terminal window.

Now you should be able to stick in a CD and open the package manager to access the files on it.

[birdflesh10]

Re: All Extra Software on a CD

...or you can copy all the debs to the other computer's /var/cache/apt/archives and update/install as usual. The package manager will skip the downloading of debs that are found in that folder and are in the current version. Before copying I recommend using "sudo apt-get autoclean" so that only latest versions of your packages are kept in the cache folder.

[baucha15]

Re: All Extra Software on a CD

I also have been searching something like this but i want to use USB flash disk instead of CD/DVD. Any suggestions

[Little Girl]

Re: All Extra Software on a CD

I also have been searching something like this but i want to use USB flash disk instead of CD/DVD. Any suggestions

This should work, and if you're willing, you can be my test guinea pig, since I don't own a USB stick.

CREATING A USB REPOSITORY

CREATE IT:

1. Insert the USB stick.

2. Create a directory somewhere on the USB drive.

3. Copy your .deb files into the directory you created.

4. Open a terminal window in the directory you created.

5. Type this command to create a file containing detailed information about your packages:

dpkg-scanpackages . /dev/null | gzip -9c > Packages.gz

There should now be a file named Packages.gz in the directory you created.

ADD IT:

In order for your repository to be used, the package manager needs to know it exists:

1. Open the sources.list file in a text editor:

* Kubuntu users type kdesudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list

* Ubuntu users type gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

2. Find the line that starts with #deb cdrom or deb cdrom (this should be near the top of the file).

3. Add this line directly below the cdrom line, replacing /myrepositorydirectory with the path to your USB repository directory:

deb file:/myrepositorydirectory /

4. Save the file.

5. Close the text editor.

USE IT:

1. Insert the USB stick.

2. Type this command to refresh the list of available repositories:

sudo apt-get update

3. Use your package manager or apt-get commands normally.

REMOVE IT:

If you no longer wish to use the USB repository, you’ll need to remove it from your sources.list file:

1. Open the sources.list file in a text editor:

* Kubuntu users type kdesudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list

* Ubuntu users type gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

2. Delete the line you added in step 3 above.

3. Save the file.

4. Close the text editor.

5. Type this command to refresh the list of available repositories:

sudo apt-get update

You can delete the directory or move it to another location, but this is not required.