Twitter and Co. to Protect Ubuntu Users with Update Alerts
A new alert system should warn Ubuntu users via micro-blogging about potentially harmful updates.
In theory it should not happen, but in practice it occurs over and over: a particular package from Ubuntu's archives causes undo problems for many Ubuntu users. One example was in 2006 when an update disturbed the X server and left many users with a black screen after a reboot.
On the ubuntu-devel mailing list, Ubuntu's Robbie Williamson announced that he would taking measures to deal with such situations more effectively. The Twitter and Identi.ca microblogging services will handle through users subscribing to one of the following accounts:
http://identi.ca/ubuntustatus
http://twitter.com/ubuntustatus
The feeds will return an alert in case of a update problem. It will at least keep users from carrying through with the update until the issue has been fixed.
The effectiveness of the alert system will prove itself in practice, because its success depends on (a) how many Ubuntu users subscribe to Twitter or Identi.ca and (b) how many will subscribe to the feed. Better yet is for Ubuntu developers to thoroughly test updates to prevent the issues in the first place.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.