Updating Software and Distro

[JJ Neff]

Mandrake Update is best to run from teh command line (RPMDRAKE) then choose
Mandrake Update, that way you can see what errors you may be getting from FTP
sites etc.

http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/security/2002/MDKSA-2002-041.php?dis=8.2
Go to the mandrake security site and read the kernel update specifically.  It
is very clear that the Kernel MUST NOT be upgraded but installed side by side. 
THey also have a link to some ways to use RPMs and a step by step on using
kernel RPMs.  I was just reading it last night since a new Kernel security
update just came out a few days ago.
http://www.mandrakesecure.net/en/docs/magic.php <--very simple explanation of
what to do for many different systems. AND More importantly an explanation of
WHY and WHAT to update.

> Should I go ahead and set these utilities up ? 
> Any caveats ? 
> I remember John Neff said something about not letting Mandrake Update 
> fool with your kernel. 
> 
> The system is a stand alone [not networked] dual boot desk top 
> machine on Dial Up [ the only time it's connected is when I'm 
> surfing, or sending + receiving email], with me as the sole user 
> [actually me as 2 users, logged on singly, one in KDE and one in 
> GNOME, because I'm figuring out how permissions work]. The linux is 
> Mandrake 8.1 as it came from the install CDs. 

I went from 8.1-8.2 using the Upgrade utility from the 8.2 Distro CD and it
worked fine for me (tm).

Debian actually supports upgrading in place with the magic apt-get update &&
apt-get dist-upgrade but actually recommends a clean install if you are using
potato or older and want to try woody or SID (testing or unstable) due to the #
of different packages and versions.

> Regarding upgrading the distro to a newer version, I actually found a 
> HOW-TO, dated ~1999, that said basically to backup /home, reformat 
> everything else, then do the install ! That sounded like "washing 
> Windows". Hopefully, by now, you can install a newer distribution 
> OVER another [like a Mandrake over a Mandrake, a Red Hat over a Red 
> Hat, nothing cross-platform], because I've put a lot of custom icons, 
> wallpapers, and such in various places down in /usr/share. 
> 
> What did those of you who went to v8.2 backup before you did the 
> upgrade ? Was /home even touched ?
> -- 
> S. Lawton
> 
> Kmail 1.3.1


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