How to install XFCE with best rollback options

[kortsen]

I have a perfectly functional Kubuntu Feisty install that I have tweaked to my liking, and would like to install XFCE as a second desktop manager for a test drive. The easiest way that I can see is to install the xubuntu-desktop metapackage. However, I would like to have a 'clean' way to remove it if I change my mind. I have read some posts saying not to use apt-get install, use aptitude install. What's the difference? And are there better options for me?

[Rog131]

Re: How to install XFCE with best rollback options

I have read some posts saying not to use apt-get install, use aptitude install. What's the difference?

Hmm - Aptitude:

aptitude is a terminal-based apt frontend with a number of useful features...

More of the package managers: FAQ: Package Managers

However, I would like to have a 'clean' way to remove it if I change my mind.

Hmm#2 - How about:

logsave + apt/aptitude

man logsave

LOGSAVE(8) LOGSAVE(8)

NAME
logsave - save the output of a command in a logfile

SYNOPSIS
logsave [ -asv ] logfile cmd_prog [ ... ]

DESCRIPTION
The logsave program will execute cmd_prog with the specified argu‐
ment(s), and save a copy of its output to logfile. If the containing
directory for logfile does not exist, logsave will accumulate the out‐
put in memory until it can be written out. A copy of the output will
also be written to standard output.

=>

sudo logsave Installing.txt apt-get install xubuntu-desktop

or same with the aptitude.

=> You get a list what to remove...


Hmm#3 testing:

sudo logsave Installing.txt apt-get -s install xubuntu-desktop

man apt-get

-s, --simulate, --just-print, --dry-run, --recon, --no-act
No action; perform a simulation of events that would occur but do
not actually change the system.

Kubuntu (7.10) Gutsy Gibbon tells:

Log of apt-get -s install xubuntu-desktop
Tue Apr 1 19:02:27 2008
...
The following NEW packages will be installed:
abiword abiword-common abiword-plugins app-install-data-commercial
apport-gtk apturl brasero displayconfig-gtk doc-base evince-gtk
example-content feisty-gdm-themes file-roller gamin gcalctool gdebi gdm
gnome-accessibility-themes gnome-app-install gnome-cards-data gnome-games
...
xfce4-weather-plugin xfce4-xkb-plugin xfdesktop4 xfdesktop4-data xfprint4
xfwm4 xfwm4-themes xscreensaver-gl xubuntu-artwork-usplash
xubuntu-default-settings xubuntu-desktop xubuntu-docs xvnc4viewer

0 packages upgraded, 194 newly installed, 1 to remove and 8 not upgraded.

[kortsen]

Re: How to install XFCE with best rollback options

Why is there such a difference in what gets installed by the 2 different methods?

When I try

apt-get -s intall xubuntu-desktop

there are 275 packages installed.

But when I try

aptitude -s install xubuntu-desktop

there are 405 packages to install.

Let me know if you would like me to post the outputs so you can see the package lists.
__________________

[kortsen]

Re: How to install XFCE with best rollback options

I found my answer on Ubuntu forums. Aptitude wanted to install recommended packages. The command I needed was

aptitude -s --without-recommends install xubuntu-desktop

The full story is at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=743289

[Guest]

Re: How to install XFCE with best rollback options

installing xfce on ubuntu 9.10http://freewebcontents.blogspot.com/2009/11/installing-xfce-on-ubuntu-910.html