April 11, 2007
I just thought that I would take the time to dispell a few myths about Automatix doing the rounds.
Myth Number 1
Someone said that all the stuff is on unofficial repos, and that can break my system
Installing any unsupported software from Multiverse or Universe can cause breakage. If you are worried about breakage then you should never install any software from these sources and stick with the supported software available in the default Ubuntu repos. Stick with the strictly free software and avoid codecs, flash, sun-java, mplayer etc etc etc to avoid breakage.
Even then that is no guarantee since Ubuntu’s own security and kernel updates have broken both Dapper and Edgy on many occasions. Ubuntu does a excellent job of breaking things on their own.
There is one repo hosted by getautomatix.com, which as you can see for yourselves is hardly packed with breakable apps Click Here
Myth Number 2
It changes things in your system which causes breakage.
Automatix leaves your sources intact and adds the official sources you have commented out. It also adds the Automatix repo for updates of Automatix and the packages hosted on their server. If you choose to install wine, the wine sources from the official wine repository are added. Google Picasa comes from the google repos but depends on nothing therefore it will not cause breakage by installing it.
Installing drivers is the only thing that Automatix changes on your system. EasyUbuntu does this also as does installing them yourself.
**Automatix gives you the ability to restore your sources to their original condition and undo any changes at any time you wish.**
Myth Number 3
It breaks Synaptic and Apt
Apt and Synaptic are quite capable of breaking themselves without the help of Automatix, this is Ubuntu we are talking about here people. Things break, why do you think ubuntuforums have 350,000 members and the biggest beginners section known to man? because things break, it’s Linux, that’s the fun of it.
Myth Number 4
You should always install things the official Ubuntu way
You should always do with Linux what you damn well please !! The whole filosophy is freedom to choose how you want to run and configure your system. As soon as you start getting dictated to and following orders…. just go back to Windows, as soon as you take orders from somebody on a Linux forum who has a higher post count than you, just give up because you’ve missed what Linux is all about.
Myth Number 5
Using Automatix causes breakages when dist-upgrading to a new version of Ubuntu
Ubuntu breaks Ubuntu when dist-upgrading. I don’t care what os you use, in place upgrading will break things. This is true of Windows, Mac and Linux. Every expert and most Ubuntu devs will tell it is always preferable to do a fresh install when upgrading to avoid problems.
Those who claim Automatix causes all that breaking are being dishonest with you. Absolutely Automatix or any and all software you installed can contribute to breakage when dist-upgrading. But Automatix is by no means any more or less responsible than any other software installed for borked upgrades including supported software.
Make your own choices, be different, innovate, be creative, use what Linux has to offer for your benefit and then share it with others.
IF you have any problems at all you will find quick solutions on the official Automatix Forums
You can also ask experienced Linux users of their experiences HERE as well.
7 Responses to “Automatix Myths That Need To be Cleared Up”
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April 11, 2007 at 2:48 pm
“You should always install things the official Ubuntu way”
Of course you should not *always* install things the official way, however, if you still are as newbie-ish that you need something like Automatix, then you shouldn’t use Automatix because it can cause problems you can’t solve. A better place to go is wiki.ubuntu.com which tell you how to install whatever you wish the official way, which also isn’t difficult if you know the name of the packages.
April 12, 2007 at 3:14 am
Vincent, what problems did Automatix cause for you personally?
Also if you read the post completely, you will have learned that everything in Linux can break and leave a newbie without the knowledge or means to repair the system. That’s why we have support forums.
Ubuntu repos can supply bad apps as well, official guides can cause a newbie to bork his system. When you have been running Linux for a few more years, you will gain more experience, and get to understand this. You will also have the knowledge to be able to recommend what a new user should or shouldn’t do.
Thanks for your comments.
Rich
April 14, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I’ve already used Linux for a few years
The problem is that when a newbie asks for help at the Ubuntu forums chances are small that he’ll mention he’s used Automatix in the past. Sure, Ubuntu apps can break, but you know those. And Automatix does a lot of things you can just as easily do with Synaptic. EasyUbuntu does so too, btw.
April 15, 2007 at 10:46 pm
There are many things a newbie won’t tell you that they’ve changed
But that doesn’t mean that Automatix will break your system. I have tested it on every Ubuntu distro form Breezy, never broke, I also have many testimonials who agree with the fact. Checkout the Ubuntforums thread “How was Automatix for you?” You will see a clear case of “Automatix Works” For the majority of users, there are a lot.
I too always recommened that newbies learn Linux, and understand/try not one, but several distros. The fact is that a few have a Windows mentality or are just not interested in learning.
This is where Automatix helps many people. It has also helped the popularity of Ubuntu.
I would also suggest that when somebody has an Automatix problem, you send them directly to the Automatix forums for assistance.
Rich
April 16, 2007 at 10:51 am
I’m not saying Automatix immediately breaks your system (I know it doesn’t). However, when it gets its packages from sources other than the official Ubuntu ones, it is likely that upgrading to a newer version of Ubuntu will cause problems newbies do not want to deal with.
Learning how to install and run Automatix is no less trouble than learning how to go into Synaptic, Settings->Repositories, checking all checkboxes then clicking “Reload”.
April 18, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Upgrading Ubuntu with the official repos breaks Ubuntu. It’s a moot point, sometimes just booting up breaks Ubuntu. I bet you won’t recommend that people should stay away from it as it is just a third party reproduction of the far more stable Debian.
Rich
April 22, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Upgrading Ubuntu *will not* just break Ubuntu, though it can. If you have Automatix installed, you are greatly decreasing your chances of a successful upgrade. I, for one, did a successful upgrade but also wanted to try a fresh install.