On Debian-based distros, when an app is available as a DEB or an AppImage (that doesn’t self-update), but no APT repository, PPA or Flatpak, the only option is to manually download each update, and usually manually check even whether there are updates.

But, what if those would be upgraded at the same time as everything else using the tools you’re familiar with ?

dynapt is a local web server that fetches those DEBs (and AppImages to be wrapped into DEBs) wherever those are, then serves these to APT like any package repository does.

I started building it a few months ago, and after using it to upgrade apps on my computers and servers for some time, I pre-released it for the first time last week.

The stable version will come with a CLI wizard to avoid this manual configuration.

Feedback is welcome :)

  • cqst@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    2 months ago

    Well, I’m just automating what people currently have to do manually : visit GitHub and download DEB and install DEB.

    Yeah. You should never do that. Like ever. Build from source; or use a vendored tarball. https://wiki.debian.org/DontBreakDebian

    .deb is a terribly insecure nightmare thats held up by the excellent debian packagers, gpg , and checksums, and stable release model. don’t use .deb files.

      • cqst@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        2 months ago

        I’m and end user

        Yeah, we all are. What’s your point?

        End users are also developers. All computer users are developers. You are developing.

        user working for end users

        By making a script that lets me get backdoors and shitty packages with ease? The linux package distribution system is a nightmare, Debian is the least bad approach. There is basically always a better option to using a .deb file. If you come across something that isn’t packaged, I recommend Flatpak, building from source (and installing unprivileged), or using the developers vendored tarball (installing unprivileged).

        https://wiki.debian.org/SecureApt

        By using local .debs you lose the benefit of:

        Reproducible builds

        GPG checksums

        Stable release model

        debian security team

        • KaKi87@jlai.lu
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          2 months ago

          My point is that I’m working a solution for end users.

          The solutions you’re offering are not user-friendly.