What it's like trying to update 9.0 over a modem... or why I complain
about issues that will cause potential users to not adopt Mdk... :^(
Summary: poor/little error recovery in MU -- I'm stuck; my system won't
get update descriptions at the moment.
According to MU, my laptop was completely up-to-date just before the
latest batch of arts & KDE updates. Being away from my DSL line with only
50Kb access, I waited to run this batch of updates overnight... This
morning, I woke up to this dialog box:
Conflicts were detected
kdegraphics = 3.0.3-11.1mdk is needed by kdegraphics-devel-3.0.3-11.1mdk
kdegraphics = 3.0.3-11.1mdk is needed by kdegraphics-devel-3.0.3-11.1mdk
Install aborted.
[ OK ]
This is in my logs:
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/arts-1.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdeadmin-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdebase-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdebase-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdebase-nsplugins-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdegames-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdegraphics-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdegraphics-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdelibs-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdelibs-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdemultimedia-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdemultimedia-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdenetwork-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdenetwork-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdepim-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdesdk-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdetoys-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/kdeutils-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/libarts-1.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/libldap2-2.0.25-7.1mdk.i586.rpm
Jan 15 22:40:05 gypsy MandrakeUpdate[32221]: Installing package
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/
9.0/RPMS/openldap-2.0.25-7.1mdk.i586.rpm
and MU still shows all packages still to be installed!!
# rpm -e kdegraphics-devel-3.0.3-11.1mdk
#
Re-selected everything, pressed install, and grpmi is RE-DOWNLOADing
EVERYTHING at 50Kb!!!!!! <SIGH> So WHAT do the above "Installing
package" messages in the log REALLY mean????????
Now, on the third package (kdemultimedia-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm) I get:
There was an error downloading package:
ftp://fpt-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub...........rpm
Error: Partial file
Do you want to continue (skipping this package)?
[ Yes ] [ No ]
WHY no "retry" button??? The file exists on the server (partially
downloaded)... I suppose if I click OK, it'll take all day to d/l the
other packages only to fail on a dependancy from this package...???
Will clicking OK avoid d/l'ing any dependancy packages, or will MU waste
more time and bandwidth??
These are mundane, but essential error recovery issues that cause much
irritation -- especially on a slow link.
Fsck it! I'll restart MU and install ONE package at a time...
WHOA!!!!!! If I select libarts, it adds arts as a dependancy; BUT, if I
select arts, it says it only depends on libarts, YET it auto-selects:
- kdebase
- kdebase-devel
- kdebase-nsplugins
- kdelibs
- kdelibs-devel
- kdemultimedia
- kdebultimedia-devel
<SIGH!!!>
At least, I can unselect the kde stuff...
Sigh... this just gets 'better'... many ISPs drop ppp connections after
some period of time (mine is set at 12 hours); the reconnect usually gets
a different IP address, killing any chance of updates completing at some
time -- probably in the middle of a large update... :^P Fortunately, I
have another box handling the ppp line, so my laptop does not see these
drop/reconnect issues as most users would...
One of the one-at-a-time-plus-dependencies updates just died after only
7.5MB transfered... no errors, no timeout, it just hung... killed that
update by closing the progress window (no Cancel button) and now the
Install button accepts a click; but ignores it. Even the Quit button
won't work!
Only option is to close the MU window, restart MU, wait for the synthesis
file, and try again...
1 root@gypsy root# mcc &
[1] 29952
1 root@gypsy root# examining synthesis file
[/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.Installation CD 1 (x86) (cdrom1).cz]
examining synthesis file [/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.Installation CD
2 (x86) (cdrom2).cz]
examining synthesis file [/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.International CD
(x86) (cdrom3).cz]
examining synthesis file
[/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.update_source.cz]
EMBED
parent XID 65012197
mcc pid 29952
urpmi database locked
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Fsking wonderful!
1 root@gypsy root# ps auxww | grep rpm
root 32222 0.0 0.4 19324 2328 ? S Jan15 0:02
/usr/bin/perl /usr/sbin/logdrake --explain=rpmdrake --embedded 71303655
32209
root 25345 0.0 1.8 15524 9356 pts/7 S 13:53 0:01
/usr/bin/perl /usr/sbin/grpmi
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdelibs-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdebase-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdebase-nsplugins-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdelibs-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdebase-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
root 29827 0.1 2.0 13808 10792 pts/7 S 20:34 0:00
/usr/bin/perl /usr/sbin/urpmi.update update_source
root 29963 2.2 2.8 18784 14532 pts/7 S 20:45 0:01
/usr/bin/perl /usr/sbin/logdrake --explain=rpmdrake --embedded 65012197
29952
root 29981 0.0 0.1 1672 616 pts/7 S 20:46 0:00 grep rpm
1 root@gypsy root#
[1]+ Done mcc
1 root@gypsy root# ps auxww | grep rpm
root 32222 0.0 0.4 19324 2328 ? S Jan15 0:02
/usr/bin/perl /usr/sbin/logdrake --explain=rpmdrake --embedded 71303655
32209
root 25345 0.0 1.8 15524 9356 pts/7 S 13:53 0:01
/usr/bin/perl /usr/sbin/grpmi
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdelibs-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdebase-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdebase-nsplugins-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdelibs-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
ftp://ftp-linux.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/mandrake/updates/9.0/RPMS/kdebase-devel-3.0.5a-1.1mdk.i586.rpm
root 29827 0.1 2.0 13808 10792 pts/7 S 20:34 0:00
/usr/bin/perl /usr/sbin/urpmi.update update_source
root 29985 0.0 0.1 1672 616 pts/7 S 20:46 0:00 grep rpm
1 root@gypsy root# kill -15 32222 25345 29827
So now it gets weirder... killed all the rpm processes, and rpmdrake
starts outputting the following and popping up dialog windows like it
going to start working again...
1 root@gypsy root# examining synthesis file
[/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.Installation CD 1 (x86) (cdrom1).cz]
examining synthesis file [/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.Installation CD
2 (x86) (cdrom2).cz]
examining synthesis file [/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.International CD
(x86) (cdrom3).cz]
examining synthesis file
[/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.update_source.cz]
examining synthesis file [/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.Installation CD
1 (x86) (cdrom1).cz]
examining synthesis file [/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.Installation CD
2 (x86) (cdrom2).cz]
examining synthesis file [/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.International CD
(x86) (cdrom3).cz]
examining synthesis file
[/var/lib/urpmi/synthesis.hdlist.update_source.cz]
Nope... still hangs.... until [first time for this msg]:
curl: (28) Transfer aborted due to timeout
The gist here is that MU can't handle even the most basic of
communications errors...
Mandrake: it's not the lack of customers or Club donations that's hurting
you right now IMO, it's the dumb *little* things that keep getting ignored
in favor of "new glitzy stuff" which translates into user **irritations**
with the current distro.... people can only take so many irritations
before they look elsewhere... I've seen it at other companies when either
new-hires, junior staff, or simply the wrong people (with not enough
experience, or discipline to "get it right") are assigned [or not] to the
"mundane" stuff... Mdk9.0 has been my worst Linux experience (I won't
put it on any more systems) and if 9.1 doesn't address the *mundane*
problems, I'll revert my 9.0 systems to 8.2 and look elsewhere...
I'm saying this a someone who desperately wants to see Mdk distros return
to the quality level that attracted me; I don't like the thought of
returning to RH (bad attitudes in customer support) or some other
distro... but Mdk is not a charity and failure to take care of "mundane"
issues is what brings the best down.
This post will likely be seen by some as another flame from me instead of
a plea for Mdk to rethink where/how they are expending [some of] their
efforts... especially in the short term... oh well... I can only give
my opinion -- the "defenders" will be out shortly crying that I'm a bad
person, a flamer, whatever... ignoring the reasons many potential
customers may have peeked in and silently moved on... If I didn't care
about Mdk, I wouldn't even try...
Defending Mdk, the culture, etc is not in Mdk's best interest IMO --
anyone who won't be, or is afraid to be, brutally honest with Mdk are
really hurting Mdk... it's call "tough love".
It's a rude awakening to resort to a modem as I now do 2 weeks out of 4
each month...
Pierre
PS: as I send this, rpmdrake only hangs... [weary of including details]
Looks like rpmdrake, or curl itself, does not check for an already running
curl -- ends up with several trying to connect, with none getting past
SYN, SYN/ACK sequences... and there were a bunch queued to run...
everytime I killed one (kill -15 does not clean up properly), another
would pop up... eventually got them all stopped; but now every attempt to
get descriptions produces only SYN, SYN/ACK sequences with several
different source ports -- like several curl stubs are still running; but I
can't find them yet... :^P
G'nite :^PPPP
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Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
