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How do Debian Backports really work?

Story: How-To: Install OpenOffice 3.1 in Debian 5.0 LennyTotal Replies: 3
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Steven_Rosenber

Aug 23, 2009
1:31 AM EDT 		With the method in this article, it looks like every app you add will come from backports.

What if you want only the one app from backports. That's where "pinning" comes in, I believe.

If readers follow this article, they might get a whole lot more backports than they want.
Sander_Marechal

Aug 23, 2009
4:29 AM EDT 		Steven: Nope. The backports.org release file is built in such a way that you only get from backports what you specifically ask for. No need to mess with APT pinning.
Bob_Robertson

Aug 23, 2009
11:18 AM EDT 		I'm using it right now for 2.6.30, since the new Atheros drivers work in my backup laptop. As Sander points out, there is no automatic update to a Backports package. You must ask for it.

Then, if it's updated in Backports, it will automatically update.

Apt is a wonderful system.
wjl

Aug 23, 2009
3:48 PM EDT 		Amen, Bob.

And I'm becoming "that Linux guy" quickly within our small group within my big blue new employer; every other support call which only mentions "Linux" will most probably end up with me. Tho that is most often RHEL or SLES (management still thinks "Enterprise" has some meaning), they all know where my heart and blood and everything is...

I think in the long term, success just because of quality and because of the support of those who actually see this will be inevitable.

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