Repository Issue with LMDE 4

Alexzee

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Once again I'm trying to install Xiphos because the version that Synaptic and the Software Manager has and installs is not the most current version and the drop down menus for the books don't scroll.

The terminal shows that adding ppa is not supported-

:~$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pkgcrosswire/ppa
[sudo] password for sifu:
Adding PPAs is not supported
sifu@reddragon:~$ sudo apt update
Ign:1 http://packages.linuxmint.com debbie InRelease
Hit:2 http://packages.linuxmint.com debbie Release
Hit:3 http://security.debian.org buster/updates InRelease
Hit:5 https://deb.debian.org/debian buster InRelease
Hit:6 https://deb.debian.org/debian buster-updates InRelease
Hit:7 https://deb.debian.org/debian buster-backports InRelease
Ign:8 https://launchpad.net/~pkgcrosswire/+archive/ubuntu/ppa buster InRelease
Err:9 https://launchpad.net/~pkgcrosswire/+archive/ubuntu/ppa buster Release
404 Not Found [IP: 2001:67c:1560:8003::8003 443]
Reading package lists... Done
E: The repository 'https://launchpad.net/~pkgcrosswire/+archive/ubuntu/ppa buster Release' does not have a Release file.
N: Updating from such a repository can't be done securely, and is therefore disabled by default.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.

I've tried to add a ppa but it's not supported and two adding the repo complains about a release file not being present.
Furthermore APT will refuse to download the data by default.
Here's what the man page says:

An archive has an unsigned Release file or no Release file at all current APT versions will refuse to download data from them by default in update operations and even if forced to download front-ends like apt-get(8) will require explicit confirmation if an installation request includes a package from such an unauthenticated archive. You can force all APT clients to raise only warnings by setting the configuration option Acquire:: Allow InsecureRepositories to true.
Individual repositories can also be allowed to be insecure via the sources.list (5) option allow-insecure=yes. Note that insecure repositories are strongly discouraged and all options to force apt to continue supporting them will eventually be removed. Users also have the Trusted option available to disable even the warnings, but be sure to understand the implications as detailed in sources.list(5). A repository which previously was authenticated but would lose this state in an update operation raises an error in all APT clients irrespective of the option to allow or forbid usage of insecure repositories. The error can be overcome by additionally setting Acquire::Allow Downgrade To Insecure Repositories to true or for Individual repositories with the sources.list(5) option allow-downgrade-to-insecure=yes.

A few questions, and I hope someone can help here.

If adding ppa's are not supported how do I change that?

And how exactly do I tell APT to allow this repo to=true?
Is this a matter of editing the sources.list or editing a certain config file?
 


LMDE 4 is built on Linux Mint 19 or 20 and Debian 10 Buster.
LMDE $ Debbie is built on Debian 10 Buster with Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon desktop.

Debian Bullseye is still in it's testing stage so I'm not sure if that's a wise choice.

Do you think arochester that the .deb of Xiphos for Bullseye testing could break the system?
Debian testing should be fairly stable however there's still a chance of testing breaking other packages from what I've read.
 
LMDE $ Debbie is built on Debian 10 Buster with Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon desktop.


Debian testing should be fairly stable however there's still a chance of testing breaking other packages from what I've read.
I'm not willing to take a chance.
 
I've spent pretty much the whole day using google to see if there is a way to enable ppa's on a system that ppa's are not supported. I haven't found a way to make it possible.

I also haven't found a way to tell APT to apt-secure to allow a ppa repo or how to edit the correct config file to =true so that a added repo to the Software Sources app will work.

If there is a way to accomplish these tasks do tell me.
 
do tell me.

... and I will :)

Got an answer for you Alex, just going for coffee and putting it together for you.

Back soon

Chris
 
I am mindful of what Arochester has linked to above, about the "FrankenDebian" phenomenon.

However, a part of Alex's question was

If adding ppa's are not supported how do I change that?

and there is a relatively simple answer to that. I would advise performing a Timeshift snapshot before introducing it - better safe than sorry.

Even in the 'buntu-based Distros (includes Mint) you will not find an entry for

add-apt-repository

nor for its "twin"

apt-add-repository


Code:
chris@XubuntuFocal-HDD:~$ apt-cache policy add-apt-repository

N: Unable to locate package add-apt-repository

chris@XubuntuFocal-HDD:~$ apt-cache policy apt-add-repository

N: Unable to locate package apt-add-repository

... and yet we know it is there to use.

Why does it not show?

Because it is a part of a suite of utilities known by the name

software-properties-common

software-properties-common is installed by default in the 'buntu-based Distros

Code:
chris@XubuntuFocal-HDD:~$ apt-cache policy software-properties-common

software-properties-common:

  Installed: 0.98.9.2

  Candidate: 0.98.9.2

  Version table:

*** 0.98.9.2 500

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 Packages

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main i386 Packages

        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security/main amd64 Packages

        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security/main i386 Packages

        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

     0.98.9 500

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal/main amd64 Packages

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal/main i386 Packages

The interesting thing that I find, is that software-properties-common is available in Debian's Repos, and further that it is flagged as supported, which somewhat undermines or contradicts Debian's stand on PPAs? Go figure.

Here's a pic from my Buster, Debian 10

software-properties-common-Synaptic-Buster.png


WIZARD'S BUSTER - SYNAPTIC

and here's one from my LMDE 3 'Cindy'

software-properties-common-Synaptic-Cindy.png


WIZARD'S LMDE 3 'CINDY' - SYNAPTIC

In both cases I have installed software-properties-common.

Note in the case of Cindy (and you will have to tell, with Debbie), it says in the lower pane that this is obsolete, replaced by

mintsource

and mintsource is simply what you and I call Software Sources.

Gotta run, but install it from Synaptic, or with

sudo apt-get -y install software-properties-common

and rerun your add-apt-repository command and see how you go.


WIZARD'S RECOMMENDED READING

https://itsfoss.com/add-apt-repository-command-not-found/

It's FOSS and Abhishek Prakash can be trusted, in my experience.

https://linoxide.com/linux-how-to/configure-sources-list-on-debian/

If the method advocated above fails, then there is the package here

https://debian.pkgs.org/10/debian-main-amd64/software-properties-common_0.96.20.2-2_all.deb.html

... which can be downloaded and either installed with (CLI) sudo dpkg -i <package-name>.deb or (GUI) using GDebi.

For mintsources

https://linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/mint-tools.html

Cheers

Wizard
 
I am mindful of what Arochester has linked to above, about the "FrankenDebian" phenomenon.

However, a part of Alex's question was



and there is a relatively simple answer to that. I would advise performing a Timeshift snapshot before introducing it - better safe than sorry.

Even in the 'buntu-based Distros (includes Mint) you will not find an entry for

add-apt-repository

nor for its "twin"

apt-add-repository


Code:
chris@XubuntuFocal-HDD:~$ apt-cache policy add-apt-repository

N: Unable to locate package add-apt-repository

chris@XubuntuFocal-HDD:~$ apt-cache policy apt-add-repository

N: Unable to locate package apt-add-repository

... and yet we know it is there to use.

Why does it not show?

Because it is a part of a suite of utilities known by the name

software-properties-common

software-properties-common is installed by default in the 'buntu-based Distros

Code:
chris@XubuntuFocal-HDD:~$ apt-cache policy software-properties-common

software-properties-common:

  Installed: 0.98.9.2

  Candidate: 0.98.9.2

  Version table:

*** 0.98.9.2 500

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 Packages

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main i386 Packages

        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security/main amd64 Packages

        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security/main i386 Packages

        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

     0.98.9 500

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal/main amd64 Packages

        500 http://au.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal/main i386 Packages

The interesting thing that I find, is that software-properties-common is available in Debian's Repos, and further that it is flagged as supported, which somewhat undermines or contradicts Debian's stand on PPAs? Go figure.

Here's a pic from my Buster, Debian 10

View attachment 7293

WIZARD'S BUSTER - SYNAPTIC

and here's one from my LMDE 3 'Cindy'

View attachment 7294

WIZARD'S LMDE 3 'CINDY' - SYNAPTIC

In both cases I have installed software-properties-common.

Note in the case of Cindy (and you will have to tell, with Debbie), it says in the lower pane that this is obsolete, replaced by

mintsource

and mintsource is simply what you and I call Software Sources.

Gotta run, but install it from Synaptic, or with

sudo apt-get -y install software-properties-common

and rerun your add-apt-repository command and see how you go.


WIZARD'S RECOMMENDED READING

https://itsfoss.com/add-apt-repository-command-not-found/

It's FOSS and Abhishek Prakash can be trusted, in my experience.

https://linoxide.com/linux-how-to/configure-sources-list-on-debian/

If the method advocated above fails, then there is the package here

https://debian.pkgs.org/10/debian-main-amd64/software-properties-common_0.96.20.2-2_all.deb.html

... which can be downloaded and either installed with (CLI) sudo dpkg -i <package-name>.deb or (GUI) using GDebi.

For mintsources

https://linuxmint-developer-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/mint-tools.html

Cheers

Wizard
Thanks for the information and instructions Wizard!

I'm headed for that machine now to install software-properties-common.

I hope it works. I'll be back to let you know how things go.
 
Well I ran:

sudo apt-get -y install software-properties-common

And software properties common is already installed and is the latest version the terminal returned.

Running sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pkgcrosswire/ppa returned:
Adding PPAs is not supported.

I'm done fighting with this distro, for real:-:mad:
Headed into the BIOS of my second desktop to find out which drive has the entire control over the boot.
Once I know that I can happily install Manjaro 20 which installs Xiphos 4.2 w/o any problems.

I'm not entirely sure why this continues to happen with Xiphos not working properly.
This is not the first time that this has occurred.

I haven't heard a word from the bug report that I filed with Debian and Crosswire since filing the report in August, 2020.
It would be helpful if the developers would work on making this programs functionality perform correctly.

Sadly, this is not the first time that I have had not other choice but to kick a distro too the curb because a program or programs didn't work properly.

When I was running Slackware I manually installed each of the dependencies in order that Xiphos needed and than installed the Xiphos pkg. Xiphos ran w/o any flaws or issues.

After recently installing Manjaro 20 on my first desktop that Xiphos runs great w/o any issues.

Any ideas Wizard why this program works on some distro's but not others?
 
NICE find, @arochester ! :cool:

Friday here, Alex, and I'm kind of lazy.

Tell me a little more about Xiphos, and I can try it out.

Yesterday I installed the latest Elementary OS on my secondary rig, a Toshiba Satellite, and I had forgotten that EOS was Debian-based rather than 'buntu-based. So when I wanted to install Tony George's PPA for Timeshift, I needed to use the method I described above. Worked fine, so I am a bit at a loss.

I'll put my thinking cap on.

Avagudweegend, all

Wiz
 
NICE find, @arochester ! :cool:

Friday here, Alex, and I'm kind of lazy.

Tell me a little more about Xiphos, and I can try it out.

Yesterday I installed the latest Elementary OS on my secondary rig, a Toshiba Satellite, and I had forgotten that EOS was Debian-based rather than 'buntu-based. So when I wanted to install Tony George's PPA for Timeshift, I needed to use the method I described above. Worked fine, so I am a bit at a loss.

I'll put my thinking cap on.

Avagudweegend, all

Wiz
Xiphos is a program that allows the user to study the Bible.

Before the program is installed you'll be greeted with a module manager.
Once the gui manager is open you have to select multiple modules, commentaries and dictionary's.
Before you select those modules, commentaries and dictionary's click the 'resfresh' button first.

When your done installing all of the bible's, commentaries and dictionary's click 'install'
Once complete the program will tell you all of those things are installed.

This is how I installed Xiphos on my Slackware system.
Xiphos has several dependencies that have to be satisfied in this order.
webkitgtk3, libwebp, webkit2gtk, yelp-tools, yelp, gtkhtml, rarian, appstream-glib, libminizip, biblesync, sword

Once those dependencies are installed the pkg Xiphos can than be installed.

Manjaro automatically installed all of those dependencies and the program worked out of the box.

LMDE 4 is still installed but I'm at a loss as to what to do.
 
Xiphos is a program that allows the user to study the Bible.



This is how I installed Xiphos on my Slackware system.

on my curretn slackware attached image gives graphic of xiphos deps
 

Attachments

  • xiphos.jpg
    xiphos.jpg
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is there any way of approaching this by task; for instance i don't have kali linux on my laptop HD ; if i want to do some pentesting i just fire up kali from a usb. I understand that is a bit of an inconvenience but gets the jobs done.The main issue with usb's was lack of persisitence but thats generally not a problem anymore So is xiphos the only software you can't get going on LMDE ? if so you might consider it on a usb with any distro that you can get it going with.
 
is there any way of approaching this by task; for instance i don't have kali linux on my laptop HD ; if i want to do some pentesting i just fire up kali from a usb. I understand that is a bit of an inconvenience but gets the jobs done.The main issue with usb's was lack of persisitence but thats generally not a problem anymore So is xiphos the only software you can't get going on LMDE ? if so you might consider it on a usb with any distro that you can get it going with.
Yes Xiphos is not able to be installed on LMDE.
I installed Manjaro 20 on another drive of that second desktop and Xiphos works fine.

The only other way that I found to install Xiphos is if I build it from src but I don't understand the 'Install' file. It's very complex.

Generally with a tar.bz it's as simple as:
./configure
make
and make install

That's not the case with the tar.gz of Xiphos.
When I've tried to install it before by tar.gz it gives a error message complaining about make or cmake.
I had hoped that building from src wouldn't be so difficult.

Going on the instructions from the Crosswire website the cmd's are:
cd xiphos
cmake -S . -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr -DGTKHTML=ON
make -C build
sudo make -C build install

That returns an error as well about make and cmake, command not found.
I'm confused:-

Anyone have any ideas on how to learn to begin to understand that Install file?
 

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