Do I still get updates if I install from .deb file?
from Dop@lemmy.world to linux@lemmy.ml on 19 May 04:30
https://lemmy.world/post/29882330

If I install software from .deb file, do I still get the updates & upgrades when I run sudo apt update / upgrade ? Or is flatpak the way to go? I’m not very familiar with flatpak, so I’m trying to avoid, but it seems that cons are limited. I’m currently running mint cinnamon (how original, I know), and asking because i can’t seem to add mullvad-vpn stable repo. Thank you for your help,

#linux

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dmnelson@lemm.ee on 19 May 04:37 next collapse

The answer is going vary by package. If the deb file adds a repo containing updates for itself, then yes. If not, then no.

Dop@lemmy.world on 19 May 04:46 collapse

I assumed it’s not the case since mullvad states it’s not meant to be used on mont, but is there a way to check?

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works on 19 May 04:53 next collapse

Look at the files in /etc/apt/sources.list and /etc/apt/sources.list.d.

example@reddthat.com on 19 May 09:19 collapse

you can also just check dpkg -L $installed_package_name | grep /etc/apt/ to find files that would have been installed by the package there.

abrasiveteapot@sh.itjust.works on 19 May 10:29 next collapse

Where does mullvad say it’s not meant to be used on Mint ? I literally have it running on 5 mint devices.

Can’t see that on their website at a quick search

Saying it is not supported is not the same as not meant to be used

In fact to the contrary this references install for mint

mullvad.net/en/help/install-mullvad-app-linux

Got to the section that says

“Download and install the app”

For a command line explanation

Honestly though just download the .deb and double click on it out of the folder to get debi to install. It’s all gui and easy

teawrecks@sopuli.xyz on 19 May 16:16 collapse

Mint is Debian based. Mullvad supports debian.

gratux@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 19 May 05:35 next collapse

Generally, no. Apt gets its packages from the repositories, so unless (i) your .deb package gets added to those repositories, or (ii) you add a new repository that contains your package, it won’t be updated.

bunitor@lemmy.eco.br on 19 May 13:02 collapse

some deb packages add new repositories to the system, so there’s a possibility that just installing a deb package will ensure updates keep coming. if i recall correctly, that’s what zoom does

hyveltjuven@lemmy.world on 19 May 06:10 next collapse

~~I’m not a Mint user but I would assume the Ubuntu/Debian install instructions on Mullvad would work on Mint as well. ~~

~~mullvad.net/en/download/vpn/linux~~

My bad, just read further in mullvads documentation and they do state that Mint requires manual installation. If I understand it correctly you will need to follow these instructions to install updates as well.

mullvad.net/en/help/install-mullvad-app-linux#ins…

abrasiveteapot@sh.itjust.works on 19 May 10:38 collapse

It’s reasonable advice. Mullvad is literally the only time I’ve found the ubuntu instructions to not work on mint

swab148@lemm.ee on 19 May 13:43 collapse

Prismlauncher has a similar issue, basically you have to sort of “convert” the Ubuntu instructions, thankfully there’s a flatpak.

1984@lemmy.today on 19 May 06:43 next collapse

Flatpak has annoyances like sometimes not following your icon theme, or just generally looking out of place because not picking up system defaults.

It works but I avoid it. On Arch Linux, there is a huge AUR repository where users have made native packages, and thats usually much better than Flatpak. But on Ubuntu, Flatpak is the only option sometimes.

nanook@friendica.eskimo.com on 19 May 07:51 collapse

@1984 @Dop I find approximately 10% of the AUR packages at any given time won't build and a given package may remain broken for many moths.

1984@lemmy.today on 19 May 11:36 collapse

For me its been almost 0%. :) Very happy with it.

eugenia@lemmy.ml on 19 May 06:46 next collapse

Some .deb files do include repo information (e.g. Chrome), but most don’t.

bizdelnick@lemmy.ml on 19 May 08:27 next collapse

I’m currently running mint cinnamon (how original, I know), and asking because i can’t seem to add mullvad-vpn stable repo.

What’s the problem? Mint is based on Ubuntu, use the corresponding Ubuntu repo (noble in case of Mint 22.1).

abrasiveteapot@sh.itjust.works on 19 May 10:26 collapse

Doesn’t always work - for example the mullvad browser won’t install on mint with the ubuntu instructions as OS version gets reported as Xia not noble (if I’m recalling the issue correctly it was 6-9 months ago)

Yes you can amend the commands to get it to work but it’s definitely not beginner level, I had to faff around for an hour or so before I worked it out

abrasiveteapot@sh.itjust.works on 19 May 10:21 next collapse

For mullvad vpn the client will tell you when there’s an update available by a very obvious flag in the app that you click on to download it then click/double click on the file out of the downloads to get debi to install it.

To answer the broader question, where ever possible install apps via software manager, that way they are updated with apt / update manager.

I would suggest using flatpacks sparingly as they are disk hogs.

catloaf@lemm.ee on 19 May 11:32 next collapse

Does mullvad use a proprietary VPN implementation? I’d just use openvpn and their config file. Maybe gluetun.

SloppilyFloss@lemmy.ml on 19 May 12:28 collapse

Mullvad implements Wireguard under the hood. I think they have some OpenVPN endpoints, too.

mybuttnolie@sopuli.xyz on 19 May 12:13 collapse

Mullvad repo doesn’t work in mint. The .deb does not update automatically. You have to download it manually every time you want to update it.