Proposed Updates - Here be Dragons

[coffeecat]

I keep coming across threads where it is clear that posters have enabled the proposed repository and have encountered problems. Sometimes I will post explaining why enabling the proposed repository is a bad idea for all but experienced users wishing to help with QA. (Have I got this right?) This thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=898541) is an example - as of now the -21 kernel is only in the proposed repository. I haven't posted in it because it's not clear whether the OP is sufficiently experienced to know about the potential pitfalls of proposed and, besides, I'm getting weary of saying the same thing over and over.

My question: is there a page I can link to which explains in clear terms what the proposed repository is for and why most users should not enable it? If not, perhaps the mods could think about a sticky?

A subsidiary question: can anyone explain why so many people enable something they don't understand and which takes a bit of finding in Synaptic? Or do some people just have an irresistible urge to break things? :(

I wonder if part of the problem is that people whose first language is not English may not understand the word proposed.

Proposed
Propose Pro*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proposed; p. pr. &
vb. n. Proposing.] [F. proposer; pref. pro- (L. pro for,
forward) + poser to place. See Pose, v.]
1. To set forth. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

<snip>

2. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or
adoption; as, to propose terms of peace; to propose a
question for discussion; to propose an alliance; to
propose a person for office.
[1913 Webster](My bold.)

[forestpiskie]

This page says thsi , but doesn't actually say it might break things

Enabling this is reasonable if you want to participate in testing minor updates, or know that your specific problem has been solved here but the package hasn't reached recommended yet.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuUpdates

I've come across people who didn't even know that they'd enabled it.

[Oldsoldier2003]

This page says thsi , but doesn't actually say it might break things



https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuUpdates

I've come across people who didn't even know that they'd enabled it.

Agreed. I edited the wiki page and added a warning "Enabling the proposed updates repository can break your system. It is not recommended for inexperienced users."

As a side note if you have a launchpad login you can edit the wiki. https://launchpad.net

[coffeecat]

Agreed. I edited the wiki page and added a warning "Enabling the proposed updates repository can break your system. It is not recommended for inexperienced users."

Thanks for adding that warning. I've bookmarked the page. I think it's a kindness to point out the potential dangers of proposed to some users.

[cyberdork33]

people enable it because they want to get the latest and greatest.

[Oldsoldier2003]

people enable it because they want to get the latest and greatest.

true, but latest greatest != stable and tested

[LaRoza]

true, but latest greatest != stable and tested

It has to get tested somehow :-)

[Oldsoldier2003]

It has to get tested somehow :-)

Agreed. But IMHO enabling the proposed repos for a new user is one step shy of telling a new user to install the latest alpha.

[cyberdork33]

Agreed. But IMHO enabling the proposed repos for a new user is one step shy of telling a new user to install the latest alpha.

agreed, but people hear of newer kernels and the like, or they enable proposed for a particular improvement that has been included there and end up updating their entire system...

[LaRoza]

Agreed. But IMHO enabling the proposed repos for a new user is one step shy of telling a new user to install the latest alpha.

I think you are missing the point. Who better to test new things than the unknowing newbs? Like in chemistry class, asking someone else if the glass rod was "hot". Sure, they could get burned, but it was for the greater good (me).

[wannadumpwindows]

I think you are missing the point. Who better to test new things than the unknowing newbs? Like in chemistry class, asking someone else if the glass rod was "hot". Sure, they could get burned, but it was for the greater good (me).

Awesome.:lolflag:

[bapoumba]

A blog post from Henrik Omma that may be useful regarding some official writing on the -proposed repos: http://blog.omma.net/?p=11

[ubuntu-freak]

Some people depress me with their ignorance on here. Someone recently told a new user to enable the Proposed updates repo as a way to solve his problem in adding the Medibuntu repo and GPG key.