I'm not sure if this is the right place for the request:
I support users who are not comfortable with the shell and know also some people, who'd like to install Linux, but aren't familiar with the terminal. Keeping their laptops up-to-date especially if there is a new Debian version is a bit tedious, because sometimes they moved away etc and then I think, that after a while they'd wonder about the old software and why it's not updating. A simple, guided UI would dramatically reduce support load and mistakes. Debian has the pieces (PackageKit/Discover/GNOME updater), but a small glue tool would make upgrades approachable. So I'm looking for a small Debian‑friendly GUI that:
- notifies when a new Debian stable is available (e.g., bookworm → trixie),
- lets the user Upgrade now or Postpone,
- safely rewrites APT sources to deb822 (backup first, handle Signed‑By, respect pinning/backports), preferably using “apt modernize-sources,”
- then runs a standard PackageKit/apt full upgrade and shows progress.
Would you be open to implementing or mentoring this? Unfortunately I cannot write code, but I can help test on bookworm→trixie paths and contribute docs/translations.
Possible UX specs:
- Detect new stable:
- Check Debian release info (announce feed or Release Notes URL), or compare current /etc/os-release codename with “stable” suite via APT policy. Show banner: “Debian 13 ‘trixie’ is available.”
- Offer: “Upgrade now”, “Remind me later (in 1/7/30 days)”, “Skip this release”.
- Prepare sources (with deb822):
- Run apt modernize-sources; back up /etc/apt/sources.list* and .list files; consolidate into /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.sources; switch suites bookworm→trixie (or stable), keep components, adjust backports, unpin APT if needed; preserve third‑party entries and warn if incompatible.
- Upgrade flow:
- Trigger the user’s existing GUI (gnome-package-updater or Discover) with PackageKit, show logs, and reboot prompt.
- Safety rails:
- Timeshift/snapshot reminder, disk space check, network check, “dry run” simulation, and a “restore sources from backup” button.
Thanks!
I'm not sure if this is the right place for the request:
I support users who are not comfortable with the shell and know also some people, who'd like to install Linux, but aren't familiar with the terminal. Keeping their laptops up-to-date especially if there is a new Debian version is a bit tedious, because sometimes they moved away etc and then I think, that after a while they'd wonder about the old software and why it's not updating. A simple, guided UI would dramatically reduce support load and mistakes. Debian has the pieces (PackageKit/Discover/GNOME updater), but a small glue tool would make upgrades approachable. So I'm looking for a small Debian‑friendly GUI that:
Would you be open to implementing or mentoring this? Unfortunately I cannot write code, but I can help test on bookworm→trixie paths and contribute docs/translations.
Possible UX specs:
Thanks!