Description: Simple kde service menu for managing kubuntu (debian) packages.
UPDATE: My code was implemented into Kubuntu Breezy, in the kubuntu-default-settings package. You no longer need to install this package separately, unless you are running Hoary.
Based on the great Debian Service Menu at http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php?content=16536
Actions included: * Install Package * Uninstall Package * Show Package Info
or simply download and install the Debian package. (Yes, I'm aware of the minor Catch-22 in that statement).
-- TODO: * Swedish translation (done!) * Script rewrite for easier translations * Alien (Convert RPM to DEB) option * Show installed files option?Last changelog:
1.3: * Use mktemp instead of static tmp names (to enhance security)
1.2: * Created an alternate version which displays options on the "Action Menu"
1.1: * Removed "Show Installed Files" because it doesn't work; will reprogram and add it later (sorry for the quick rerelease)
1.0: * Initial Release
Changes from the Debian Service Menu: * Moved to system-wide (more Kubuntu-like) * Changed "debian" to "kubuntu" (I'm running Kubuntu, not Debian) * Edited English entries to be more specific * Removed "changelog" entries, which didn't seem to work in Kubuntu * Removed deb Icon reference * New screenshot
I installed this package, and it works really great... I was wondering if you can help me find the wlassistant deb that you have sitting on your desktop?? I can see it in the PNG preview... KWiFi isn't good enough :)
The shell script creates temporary files in a rather insecure way, unless I'm missing something (i.e. predictable filename, vulnerable to symlink attack).
mktemp is part of debianutils, an essential package, so will be present on all Kubuntu installations and can be used to fix this.
It will take me some time to figure out how to make the appropriate changes to use mktemp. If you could come up with some code too, that would probably be helpful.
I didn't realize the security threat, but I suppose it makes sense. First bug and first security flaw... dang!
Having used the original Debian menu this is based off of I think this could be better. You should be adding features not removing them.
In order for the Changelog option and the 'show installed files' to work you need to also have the debianservicemenu.sh file in the same directory.
So far I haven't experienced any problems with this using kubuntu as you have stated.
I'll put the features back in once I test them and make sure they work exactly as expected. I have several machines (including a VM) that I test my stuff on. Even with the Debian Service menu, "installed files" wasn't working quite right.
I'm okay with adding features - but remember that Kubuntu is about simplicity and ease of use. Plus, wouldn't the "show installed files" option basically give you the same information as "Show Package Info"? The files that will be installed are listed, and the installed status is listed.
Changelog, on the hand, could be useful, and I'm trying to see if I can append the information to the "Show Package Information" kdialog.
Show installed files shows you the installed files while the info option shows you the status and the contents of the paackage. If you have a broken package the two would obviously be different. I must admit though I haven't had much use for the 'show installed files' as of yet.
As in ubuntu kdesu use sudo I think is better use kdesu and not xterm to install and uninstall:
install:
kdesu 'dpkg -i %U'
uninstall:
kdesu 'dpkg -P `echo %n | cut -d_ -f1`'
No, for me it has to verbose. That's why we're using xterm. If you are missing a package dependency, how else will you know?
I could switch it to a Konsole and make it completely KDE-ified, but I think the current solution is pretty elegant and usable.
Just a suggestion for improvement:
Usability-wise this should be a submenu of the "Actions" menuentry. With this it should look cleaner and less clutttered. (Often complainend by new users)
Okay, I added this feature, but only as an alternate version. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the "Actions" paradigm, but in the spirit of community, I support adding features people want/need.
This application is a pure killer !! Maybe if you talk to the right people @ ubuntuforums.org [the maintainers for ubuntu backports] they can make a debian package for this and backport it !
Ratings & Comments
18 Comments
Thank you very much for this very useful extension. Works perfectly for me.
I installed this package, and it works really great... I was wondering if you can help me find the wlassistant deb that you have sitting on your desktop?? I can see it in the PNG preview... KWiFi isn't good enough :)
http://wlassistant.sourceforge.net/
So stop voting me down! (Just kidding - I don't really care about the ranking)
The shell script creates temporary files in a rather insecure way, unless I'm missing something (i.e. predictable filename, vulnerable to symlink attack). mktemp is part of debianutils, an essential package, so will be present on all Kubuntu installations and can be used to fix this.
It will take me some time to figure out how to make the appropriate changes to use mktemp. If you could come up with some code too, that would probably be helpful. I didn't realize the security threat, but I suppose it makes sense. First bug and first security flaw... dang!
this totally rocks! Thanks!
Having used the original Debian menu this is based off of I think this could be better. You should be adding features not removing them. In order for the Changelog option and the 'show installed files' to work you need to also have the debianservicemenu.sh file in the same directory. So far I haven't experienced any problems with this using kubuntu as you have stated.
I'll put the features back in once I test them and make sure they work exactly as expected. I have several machines (including a VM) that I test my stuff on. Even with the Debian Service menu, "installed files" wasn't working quite right. I'm okay with adding features - but remember that Kubuntu is about simplicity and ease of use. Plus, wouldn't the "show installed files" option basically give you the same information as "Show Package Info"? The files that will be installed are listed, and the installed status is listed. Changelog, on the hand, could be useful, and I'm trying to see if I can append the information to the "Show Package Information" kdialog.
Show installed files shows you the installed files while the info option shows you the status and the contents of the paackage. If you have a broken package the two would obviously be different. I must admit though I haven't had much use for the 'show installed files' as of yet.
As in ubuntu kdesu use sudo I think is better use kdesu and not xterm to install and uninstall: install: kdesu 'dpkg -i %U' uninstall: kdesu 'dpkg -P `echo %n | cut -d_ -f1`'
No, for me it has to verbose. That's why we're using xterm. If you are missing a package dependency, how else will you know? I could switch it to a Konsole and make it completely KDE-ified, but I think the current solution is pretty elegant and usable.
Just a suggestion for improvement: Usability-wise this should be a submenu of the "Actions" menuentry. With this it should look cleaner and less clutttered. (Often complainend by new users)
A good point. I'll start working on that.
Okay, I added this feature, but only as an alternate version. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the "Actions" paradigm, but in the spirit of community, I support adding features people want/need.
Thanks for this great service menu addition. It is such a nice tweak and time-saver!
This application is a pure killer !! Maybe if you talk to the right people @ ubuntuforums.org [the maintainers for ubuntu backports] they can make a debian package for this and backport it !
Thanks, I'm posting a request now.