Page 1 of 1

Keeping Porteus up to date

Posted: 29 Mar 2014, 23:11
by Usjes
Hi,

I am looking for a Linux Live distribution to run from a 4Gb USB stick and I would like to know if Porteus would be suitable. Specifically, I am interested in how it implements 'persistence':
1. When I make updates to my configuration will these be updated on the USB drive so that I wont have to do them again when I boot up the next time ?
2. What model does Porteus follow for keeping all the software up-to-date and with the latest security patches ? Is the some GUI or CLI command that I can issue each time I boot to check if there are any updates/ security pataches for all the software I have installed ? Its many years since I have used linux but I vaguely remember commands like 'apt-get update' and 'apt-get install' on other distributions in the past. Does Porteus have something similar?
3. What about my personal data ? Is that saved back to the USB stick at the end of or continuosly during each session ?

Thanks,

Usjes.

Re: Keeping Porteus up to date

Posted: 30 Mar 2014, 00:35
by fanthom
hi Usjes,

When I make updates to my configuration will these be updated on the USB drive so that I wont have to do them again when I boot up the next time ?
yes. if your usb stick is formatted with linux fsilesystem then persistence works ootb. if Windows then you have to create save.dat container first.

Is the some GUI or CLI command that I can issue each time I boot to check if there are any updates/ security pataches for all the software I have installed ?
we are based on slackware and such tool does not exist or i'm not aware of it's existence. the only way of keeping with security patches up to date is to:
- watch slackware changelog:
http://ftp.heanet.ie/mirrors/ftp.slackw ... ngeLog.txt
- download software through our package manager (USM)
- run 'upgradepkg pkg_name.txz' command manually

Is that saved back to the USB stick at the end of or continuosly during each session ?
you can decide about this by selecting proper cheatcode (changes= for real time or changes=EXIT: for saving only at the end of the session).

Cheers

Re: Keeping Porteus up to date

Posted: 30 Mar 2014, 18:57
by Usjes
Hi fanthom,

Thanks for the info. I guess I can put together a shell script to automatically ping the ChangeLog, parse it and download and update the relevant packages. I am curious though about the absence of an automatic updater. If you dont update your packages as the security patches are released does this not leave your system open to being hacked? Is this not a concern for Porteus users? I ask because I have not used Linux for years but my recollection was that this was the first thing I would do each time I booted up; check for updates. But when trying to decide on a distro this week I have downloaded Puppy and Porteus and neither of them have an automatic function to check for updates, is this not an important feature that users would want nowadays ?

Thanks,

Usjes.

Re: Keeping Porteus up to date

Posted: 30 Mar 2014, 20:42
by fanthom
If you dont update your packages as the security patches are released does this not leave your system open to being hacked?
i dont really believe in hacking Desktop systems (i do believe in hacking servers) and Porteus is meant for a Desktop. besides - Porteus is portable and many users run in 'Always Fresh' so i would say it's kind of "safe" by design. please mind that this is only my personal opinion and others may not agree with it.

Is this not a concern for Porteus users?
apparently not as you are the first person asking about automatic updates system for security patches. there was an idea for switching base to some other distro but users decide to stay with Slackware:
http://forum.porteus.org/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=3056
so looks like not much will change in this matter.

btw: i'm going to introduce such service to a Kiosk edition which must be top notch in regards to security. will post more about it tonight.