KDE-Next Repository

Since KDE SC 4.7 transition ist still blocked in Debian, preventing 4.7.4 moving from experimental to unstable, this leaves unstable users with an unsatisfying KDE SC 4.6.5. For our first release, we had used the debian-qt-kde repository, which at the time had KDE SC 4.7.2. Soon after, KDE SC 4.7.4 got uploaded to experimental. Instead of also updating the qt-kde repo, it was emptied and is dead in the water at the moment. The god thing about the qt-kde repo is, that it needs on very basic 3 lines of pinning.

As things look right now, we will see KDE SC 4.7.x in Debian 7 Wheezy. As the freeze for that is not so far away, that could mean, that KDE SC 4.8 will not enter any debian repo for a while, because in freeze RC-Bugs have priority. Even though 1 guy is working on KDE SC 4.8, there might not be enough time and manpower, once freeze hits us.

For a user to use KDE SC 4.7.4 from debian experimental, user needs a preferences file, pinning every package, resulting in a list as long as my arm. To resolve the situation, we have decided to set up a repository calles kde-next, which, at the moment, holds the KDE SC 4.7.4 packages. Adding this repo to your sources.list.d will update your kde-version to KDE SC 4.7.4 with your next dist-upgrade. No need for pinning. The upgrade from KDE SC 4.7.2 to 4.7.4 is, as can be expected, a breeze. Should you want to upgrade from KDE SC 4.6.5, or – behold – even older, please be careful and read what apt wants to do.

The lines to add are:

  • deb http://packages.siduction.org/kdenext unstable main
  • deb-src http://packages.siduction.org/kdenext unstable main

After an apt-get update your package-manager is introduced to the repository and you are good to go.

2 thoughts on “KDE-Next Repository

  1. Thanks from a delighted Australian user. I did as instructed and the upgrade was as smooth as silk.
    With sidux and aptosid, I was always frustrated by the delay in getting KDE upgrades. You guys have solved the problem very neatly.

  2. If someone tries to change sources regarding this blogpost he hopefully reads the comments, too: Since March 05, 2012, KDE 4.7.4 is in Sid. The kdenext repo will be off until KDE 4.8 is available.

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