linux software updates?

Question

is it normal to get software updates everyday? i use linux mint 14 kde and it seems it always wants to update software is it possible to disable it and how? thanks

Answer 1

It's normal to get updates. They should usually get installed totally transparently without shutting anything down, unlike Windows.



I use CentOS/RedHat which uses yum which has a crontab entry for updates. Mint is Debian; I guess there's a cron job for aptget but I'm not sure of the details.



Stopping updates exposes you to security vulnerabilities. Usually not as dangerous as Windows ones, but only because not so many people are trying to exploit them. Unless it's a bad one in a service you use like Apache or SSH server.



If you use Ubuntu Stable Edition or CentOS the updates don't come so fast and are more for security and are guaranteed to be supported for several years, but on the other hand you fall behind all the latest toys and goodies.

Answer 2

typically you can get updates everyday because its all individual developers. however you shouldnt have to update your main system everyday. you can disable it but i would keep the level 1 and 2 updates as level 3 downwards is just program updates which you probably dont need to update for every new build. "You can make a few simple adjustments to Mint Update via the preferences,Open mint update from the system tray icon (the shield),click edit, preferences" @aaron: why would you suggest a different software provider and linux isnt terrible. your just terrible. linux isnt for everyone and neither is windows nor mac. each has its pros and cons.

Answer 3

Probably you should be using Mint 13. That is the long term support version.

14 and 15 are intermediate stages to the next long term version. Support for Mint 14 ends in April.

Its a little more difficult in Mint to upgrade, so upgrading to 15 or 16 is not easy. Its best to download the version you need and burn it to a dvd.

Had you chosen Ubuntu instead of Mint- you could upgrade from the menu.



Updates come more often on newer versions. I am using Ubuntu 12.04 from which Mint 13 is derived- I get fewer updates.

Answer 4

It depends on the distribution. Some distributions like to push bleeding edge updates on a regular basis, and you often end up with buggy software or broken libs.



I use Slackware, and updates are few and far between because they don't push the bleeding edge, they make sure it is rock solid first. Never had a bad update, unlike some of my Ubuntu boxes.

Answer 5

I am a Linux admin. I use only enterprise class, or carrier class Linux distributions. They are more proven.



Typically a carrier class Linux distro like Wind River Linux only gets updates yearly or so. Carrrier grade Linux is sometimes called "Five-Niner" because it is up and running 99.999%.



An enterprise class distro like Redhat or Centos gets two or three a week. I usually let the updates take once a month.



My workstations have a lot of development tools on them, so I get more updates on them.



None of my servers have ever been down.

Answer 6

I suggest you get a different software provider Linux is terrible.

Answer 7

confusing step try searching at yahoo it can help