use apt-get update to upgrade

[smily01]

Hello,

Recently I changed from linux mint/ubuntu to Debian Stretch Cinnamon. Now I’ve got a question. With Ubuntu (Unity)/Linux mint (Cinnamon) I get a sign from an icon that I have to upgrade my system. With Cinnamon I use gnome-packagekit with pk-update-icon.

Now I have to use apt-get update to update the repositories otherwise I cannot upgrade Debian. Is this normal? Can I change this by updating the repositories each day without using the command line? How can I do this?


I thank you for your answer!

[Lysander]

I get a sign from an icon that I have to upgrade my system

Your whole system? Do you mean update your packages or perform a dist upgrade? I think you mean the former.

Now I have to use apt-get update to update the repositories

You're not updating your repos. Repos are where you get your packages and updates from. You're updating your own local packages.

Is this normal?

Yes.

Can I change this by updating the repositories each day without using the command line? How can I do this?

Again, you are not updating the repos but your local packages. If you are using Debian I would get into the habit of using the command line, don't be scared of it and don't try to fall back on GUIs. Updating is as simple as:

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sudo apt update

then if software is available

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sudo apt upgrade

You can also search for packages you want via

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apt-cache search <package>

for a list or

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apt-cache show <package>

for a detailed breakdown of your chosen package.

To answer your main question your DE should notify you when there are updates. However, I wouldn't rely on that and would just get into the habit of manually running sudo apt update every day. It takes about ten seconds.

I would also get into the habit of reading the Debian Wiki. It will answer a lot of your questions.

[smily01]

Thanks for your answer!

I want ton update my whole system; update my packages with security updates. I'm familiar with the apt-get commands. Can't I use crontab or anacron?

[None1975]

Can't I use crontab or anacron?

Hello. Check this and this.

[Wheelerof4te]

^Your first link tells aptitude is the main method of upgrading. It is not, that's outdated info.
Stick to the Lysander's commands. Learning apt isn't that hard, and for Stable you need to know maybe three to four commands in total.

[stevepusser]

Thanks for your answer!

I want ton update my whole system; update my packages with security updates. I'm familiar with the apt-get commands. Can't I use crontab or anacron?

Yes, you can. You can also set up unattended-upgrades if you want to risk one of those being a bad upgrade, though odds are very very low for that.

[Hallvor]

[...] though odds are very very low for that.

I don't mean to be a ****, but low odds mean high probability.

Smily01: Installing unattended-upgrades is the easiest. Security upgrades will be installed in the background, and the risk of something going wrong is very low.

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apt install unattended upgrades

After that, you may need to:

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dpkg-reconfigure -plow unattended-upgrades

[Lysander]

Unattended Upgrades is installed by default in Stretch:

https://wiki.debian.org/UnattendedUpgrades

[smily01]

Thank you for your advice!!!!!