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Synaptic Dropped From Ubuntu 11.10

Posted by timothy on from the that-does-not-sound-like-an-upgrade dept.

An anonymous reader links to a story at Techie Buzz according to which (quoting): "When Canonical started developing the Ubuntu Software Center, I knew that a time will come when it will completely replace Synaptic. The Software Center is a noob-friendly replacement for Synaptic where users can discover new applications more easily. Unexpectedly, Canonical has decided that it is time for the Software Center to replace Synaptic as well. So, in the next daily build of Ubuntu 11.10, Synaptic will no longer be installed by default. The Ubuntu Software Center still lacks many important features that are present in Synaptic."

6 of 360 comments (clear)

  1. Install by Jaysyn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As long as you can install it from the Software Center, I don't see a problem. Did they need the space for something else on the ISO?

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    There is a war going on for your mind.
    1. Re:Install by leamanc · · Score: 5, Informative

      No, they didn't need the space. It has been Canonical's plan for a while to drop Synaptic and Update Manager (and any other GUI apps that are front ends to the various apt tools) and roll everything into Software Center.

      It's been on their roadmap for a while, and I was surprised that Synaptic made it into 11.04. I am also surprised that Update Manager is hanging around.

      This is all in the interest of average-Joe users who don't need to know the differences between Synaptic and Software Center, or how they overlap with each other, or with Update Manager. Long-time users or power users can go install Synaptic from the repos if they like, or use apt or dpkg at the command line. Me personally, I always update with 'sudo apt-get update' on the command line because I find it faster than Update Manager. But Grandma doesn't need to do that; software installation and updating should be done all in one place for her.

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      :q!
  2. Not a big deal by Annirak · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you want it, you've got it.

    $ sudo apt-get install synaptic

    Done.

  3. Re:No big deal by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Or, alternatively, you can just install Debian. I've pretty much abandoned Ubuntu at this point.

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    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  4. Re:Again by h4rr4r · · Score: 4, Funny

    Fascist?
    So you think comparing a change default GUI for package management is comparable to a political ideology that believes in the organic state, the merger of corporate power and law and in the philosophy of sacrificing any and all subjects for the glory of the state?

  5. As long as Apt is left alone by Bloodwine77 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Honestly I don't use either Synaptic or the Software Center. I do it all on the command-line using apt-cache and apt-get.

    So far I can work around all of Canonical's crazy decisions. I forced myself to quit using Gnome 2.32 (aka Ubuntu Classic) and use Xfce instead to prepare for 11.10. I have to say that I have gotten used to Xfce and really like it.

    I really don't feel like migrating my home boxes from Ubuntu unless I absolutely have to do so. The day Ubuntu prevents me from working around their craziness is the day I finally jump ship.