Brainstorming - why can't the live media offer a version downgrade?

[kansasnoob]

I'm working on something else ATM but I'm trying to imagine a somewhat time efficient test scenario for ubiquity. This was easy prior to Maverick but we are where we are

So I'm thinking to test the installer fairly thoroughly you could do this (if any step fails you should stop and file the appropriate bugs):

Step #1: Install any previous stable release, preferably an entire disc install. Import some docs, pictures, etc. Create or import a browser profile, eg; .mozilla.

Step #2: Test the live session:

http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com/qatracker/testcases/1303/info

Note: the testcase doesn't say so but IMHO disc integrity should be checked at that point.

Step #3: Try to install and see if you're offered an upgrade. If so complete that and make sure all is well. No testcase exists yet.

Step #4: Boot the live media again and then try to install and see if you're offered a reinstall. If so continue. Once it's complete yada-yada. No testcase exists yet.

Step #5: Boot the live media then try to install and see if you're offered an auto-resize. If so continue:

http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com/qatracker/testcases/1301/info

Step #6: Boot the live media again and use Gparted to delete the previous "auto-resize" install, then start the installation and perform a "use largest free space" install. This is not clearly defined, you can only tell the installer plans to use free space due to the button in the lower right hand corner changing from Continue to Install now:

continue_vs_install_now.jpg

No testcase exists.

Step #7: Perform a manual partitioning install:

http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com/qatracker/testcases/1302/info

Step #8: Perform an entire disc install, preferably with no less than 2 internal drives installed:

http://iso.qa.ubuntu.com/qatracker/testcases/1300/info

And more ................

The "more" includes:

* If you have Windows installed and four primary NTFS or FAT partitions exist you should be offered a Wubi install.

[zika]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. What I was requesting already existed in Oneiric:

Attachment 230345

I'll grant you the naming was wrong because 12.04.1 to 11.10 is NOT an upgrade but I'll complete that to see what happens.

This whole thing is looking like a major regression to me, not that convincing the installer-team will be easy

In my experience they're possibly the most insular team in Canonical/Ubuntu

I thought that my old mind was playing tricks on me but I did remember that all of this was already seen by eyes of mine... That was not a déjà vu of mine... Nice...

[kansasnoob]

I thought that my old mind was playing tricks on me but I did remember that all of this was already seen by eyes of mine... That was not a déjà vu of mine... Nice...

Yeah, my memory stinks so I guess my brainstorm was actually a brain fart

I'm going to go ahead and test some Raring images soon just to see where we're at now. I do know that "reinstall" and "upgrade" both worked in Quantal, but apparently something got borked in Precise and no one noticed it

[kansasnoob]

I did an upgrade from Precise Ubuntu to Raring Lubuntu, yes - Ubuntu to Lubuntu, and all worked quite well.

It seemed to take a long time for the "reinstalling apps" part of the upgrade but it does appear to have restored all apps, and I didn't get that error message saying not all apps could be reinstalled

And "ubiquity-apt-clone" now appears in /var/log/installer which seems more appropriate, so my initial thought is that dev is continuing to improve the "reuse" option

I'll try a "reinstall" just to see how it works, but this seems pretty great to me.

[kansasnoob]

The "reinstall" with the Lubuntu 13.04 20130119-i386 live image worked flawlessly other than being called an upgrade:

2013-01-20-140838_1366x768_scrot.jpg

I sort of wonder if it wouldn't just make sense to replace the term "upgrade" with the term "replace" rather than have a bunch of "ifs" in place that change the term from "upgrade" to "reinstall" or "downgrade"

[kansasnoob]

OK Quantal does not offer a downgrade:

Quantal_no_downgrade.jpg

So in summary:

Oneiric; The 11.10 final image offers upgrade, reinstall, and downgrade - BUT all are referred to as upgrades.

Precise; The 12.04 final, 12.04.1 final, and 12.04.2 (20130117.1) images only offer upgrades - no reinstall or downgrade.

Quantal; The 12.10 final image offers upgrade and reinstall, named appropriately - but no downgrade.

Raring; The 13.04 (20130119) image offers both upgrade and reinstall - BUT both are referred to as upgrades.