auto-update-blueprint

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For those users who like to have complete control over their system, they have the ability to turn auto-updates off, and can still update via the normal means.  - For those users who like to have complete control over their system, they have the ability to turn auto-updates off, and can still update via the normal means.

 - Users who want to be up-to-date without the hassle will have the ability to have all updates downloaded and installed, without any interaction.

 - The users who trust ''Ubuntu'' Security updates, etc. will be able to have security updates downloaded and installed, while still manually installing optional and recommended updates.

 - And the users who want to pick and choice the updates without waiting for them to download, can automatically predownload the updates, so they can be installed later at the users digression.

Automatic Updates

The ability to automatically download and install updates (unattended) when they are released.

Introduction

With a vigorously release schedule and round-the-clock updates, Linux is one of the most secure and "well-updated" operating systems in the world. But with this cutting edgy technology comes endless updates. Although this can be seen as a good thing, it can become overly cumbersome and annoying to end-users, simply trying to do their work, without tinkering with the underlying OS.

Currently Ubuntu makes updates fun and easy, with the notifications in the task bar. This icon notifies the user of updates, and allows them to view, download, and install the updates with very few clicks of the mouse, or interruption of current work. Although this is a great asset to updates and the Ubuntu system, there are other routes that can be taken with updates.

Thus the role of automatic updates, with the ability to setup the computer to just "download, update, and work", users will be able to continue working uninterrupted, while always being up-to-date and current.

Options

Currently there are a few options to "automatically update" Ubuntu. One way being via third party software, and the other, cron-jobs and scripts. Both go away from the "Linux for Human Begins" or "Just Working" attitude. Therefore a solution must be made within the Ubuntu release which solves the problem, both with stability and easy of use.

Plan

The Ubuntu update manager should have the ability to automatically install updates when notified by the repositories, of a new update. However, there should be some power in the hands of the user, therefore sane defaults and options must be available, through a carefully created "user-friendly" graphical interface.

The following options should be present:

  • Automatic Updates Off
  • Automatically Download and Install all Updates
  • Automatically Download and Install Security Updates Only
  • Automatically Download Updates Only (Do not Install) - For those users who like to have complete control over their system, they have the ability to turn auto-updates off, and can still update via the normal means. - Users who want to be up-to-date without the hassle will have the ability to have all updates downloaded and installed, without any interaction.

    - The users who trust Ubuntu Security updates, etc. will be able to have security updates downloaded and installed, while still manually installing optional and recommended updates. - And the users who want to pick and choice the updates without waiting for them to download, can automatically predownload the updates, so they can be installed later at the users digression.

auto-update-blueprint (last edited 2008-08-06 16:27:03 by localhost)