Howto: Ubuntu One in Debian Wheezy

[DrumScum]

I have some Ubuntu machines set up to use Ubuntu One, and I thought it would be nice if I could have my Debian machines synced with my Ubuntu One account as well. So I looked around at packages.ubuntu.com to see which packages are needed, and if I could get them somehow to install in Debian. After some poking around I managed to track down the packages I needed from the Ubuntu 10.10 repositories to install Ubuntu One on Debian. It actually is a pretty straight-forward process, and anyone should be able to get Ubuntu one working on their Debian Wheezy machine (didn't test for Squeeze or Sid).

Disclaimer: I'm sure that this is not the only way (or even the best way) to make Ubuntu One work on Debian, but it worked for me.

Debian version is Wheezy.
Ubuntu packages are from the Ubuntu 10.10 repository.

On Debian, first install the ubuntu-sso-client package. It's right there in the Wheezy repository:

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# aptitude install ubuntu-sso-client

We're also going to install some dependencies up front:

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# aptitude install python-twisted-names python-protobuf python-configglue

Then download the following packages from the Ubuntu 10.10 repository. First create a directory for the packages:

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$ mkdir ~/ubuone
$ cd ~/ubuone

Then fetch the packages (change mirror to suit your needs):

python-apport:

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$ wget http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/ubuntu//pool/main/a/apport/python-apport_1.14.1-0ubuntu8_all.deb

python-problem-report:

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$ wget http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/ubuntu//pool/main/a/apport/python-problem-report_1.14.1-0ubuntu8_all.deb

python-ubuntuone-client:

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$ wget http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/ubuntu//pool/main/u/ubuntuone-client/python-ubuntuone-client_1.4.4.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb

python-ubuntuone-storageprotocol:

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$ wget http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/ubuntu//pool/main/u/ubuntuone-storage-protocol/python-ubuntuone-storageprotocol_1.4.0-0ubuntu1_all.deb

ubuntuone-client:

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$ wget http://ftp.halifax.rwth-aachen.de/ubuntu//pool/main/u/ubuntuone-client/ubuntuone-client_1.4.4.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb

After downloading the Ubuntu packages, you can install them with:

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# dpkg -i *.deb

At this point dpkg may complain about missing dependencies, depending on what you already have installed. Note down the missing dependencies and install them manually:

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# aptitude install <list_of_missing_dependencies>

With that done, we can actually start using Ubuntu One on our Debian machine.

First start the syncdaemon:

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$ u1sdtool --start

You are now ready to connect the syncdaemon with the following command:

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$ u1sdtool -c

This will pop up a graphical application, in which you can create an Ubuntu One account, or enter the details of your existing account. Do whatever is needed.

If you used an existing account, at this point whatever directory exists 'in the cloud' will already be syncing with its local counterpart. You can check this with the command:

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$ u1sdtool -s

This should return something like:

State: QUEUE_MANAGER
connection: With User With Network
description: processing queues
is_connected: True
is_error: False
is_online: True
queues: WORKING_ON_CONTENT

To see which file is currently being synced, enter:

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$ u1sdtool --current-transfers

To list the directories currently set-up for syncing with your Ubuntu One account:

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$ u1sdtool --list-folders

To add an (existing!) directory on your local machine to your Ubuntu One account:

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$ u1sdtool --create-folder=/path/to/dir

Warning: this will automatically 'subscribe' the directory for syncing with your Ubuntu One account.

To 'unsubscribe' a directory, simply enter:

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$ u1sdtool --unsubscribe-folder=<folder_id>

(the 'folder id' can be found with the "u1sdtool --list-folders" command)

For other stuff you can do with u1sdtool check out:

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$ u1sdtool --help

I hope some will find the information in this post useful

[nomko]

You did a great job!!
Again a proof that it is possible to use specific Ubuntu utilities under Debian!

[edbarx]

Again a proof that it is possible to use specific Ubuntu utilities under Debian!

Have you ever heard of people having a severe food poisoning, and yet, after a couple of weeks in an intensive therapy unit, are still alive? Does that mean, that one can eat anything without being careful?!

The same applies to Linux's distributions: some users mix distributions... they might break their installation and they have to keep both pieces!

[traveler]

You did a great job!!
Again a proof that it is possible to use specific Ubuntu utilities under Debian!

[4D696B65]

Howto: Ubuntu One in Debian Squeeze

snip... and anyone should be able to get Ubuntu one working on their Debian Wheezy machine (didn't test for Squeeze or Sid). snip...

Don't you think you should test you squeeze howto on squeeze?

[DrumScum]

Howto: Ubuntu One in Debian Squeeze

snip... and anyone should be able to get Ubuntu one working on their Debian Wheezy machine (didn't test for Squeeze or Sid). snip...

Don't you think you should test you squeeze howto on squeeze?

Oh crap, that should've been Wheezy of course. Let's see if I can change the subject.

My apologies.

*edit: subject changed*

[Mr James]

You did a great job!!
Again a proof that it is possible to use specific Ubuntu utilities under Debian!

Want to run Ubuntu specific utilities and services? Go use Ubuntu.

[4D696B65]

You did a great job!!
Again a proof that it is possible to use specific Ubuntu utilities under Debian!

Want to run Ubuntu specific utilities and services? Go use Ubuntu.

I agree. An other problem I see here is that wheezy (testing) is a moving target and will continue to change for more than a year. Just because it works now doesn't mean that this wont bork your system after a few updates.

[craigevil]

Howto screw up your system in 10 easy steps!!!

Debian is NOT Ubuntu, Ubuntu is NOT Debian. Please do not install packages meant for one on the other , nor should you be telling others howto do so.

[vbrummond]

I can agree. It might work well but I think the best option would be to review the source and package it native for Debian.

[Mr James]

I can agree. It might work well but I think the best option would be to review the source and package it native for Debian.

Or go use Butnut - especially since it is a Butnut service and not just a Butnut package. One might feel more consistency using Butnut services on Butnut.

I counted 6 Butnuts for you to spell check.

[DrumScum]

I can agree. It might work well but I think the best option would be to review the source and package it native for Debian.

There's already a Debian ITP (intent to package) for the Ubuntu One client and related programs, but I wanted to have it now. And since it was fairly easy to do, I though I'd share my experience. I also don't think that installing a few (five, to be specific) Ubuntu-specific packages introduces a risk of breaking an entire Debian Wheezy install - at least not more than running the testing branch itself does. Debian package management is rock solid and can take an occasional beating without a problem Initially I didn't know that the ubuntu-sso-client package already was in the Wheezy repository, so I just installed the Ubuntu 10.10 version. At my next update cycle the 'foreign' package simply got updated to the newer Wheezy package. Not an issue at all.

[vbrummond]

I can agree. It might work well but I think the best option would be to review the source and package it native for Debian.

Or go use Butnut - especially since it is a Butnut service and not just a Butnut package. One might feel more consistency using Butnut services on Butnut.

I counted 6 Butnuts for you to spell check.

Lol.. I dont care how you spell it. =/ Can you please quit antagonizing me? I dont see Ubuntu/Fedora/etc users insulting Debian.

Want to run Ubuntu specific utilities and services? Go use Ubuntu.

You spelled it right!

[nomko]

Get a life you guys. I might said it wrong, but don't start a flamewar here against Ubuntu!

[cynwulf]

Howto screw up your system in 10 easy steps!!!

Debian is NOT Ubuntu, Ubuntu is NOT Debian. Please do not install packages meant for one on the other , nor should you be telling others howto do so.

+1

All that needs to be said IMO.

Though why anybody would want to install this crapware anyway is beyond me...

[Mr James]

Can you please quit antagonizing me?

I don't start fights but I do finish them. Consider it a response to your pm.

[vbrummond]

Can you please quit antagonizing me?

I don't start fights but I do finish them. Consider it a response to your pm.

Ok. No rude reply on my end. "Fight" over.

[Mr James]

Can you please quit antagonizing me?

I don't start fights but I do finish them. Consider it a response to your pm.

Ok. No rude reply on my end. "Fight" over.

Accepted.

[DrumScum]

Mhh, I'm quite surprised by the negative reactions in here. I think U1 is a nice concept - a Free alternative to stuff like dropbox. Honestly, I don't see what's wrong with it.

About installing Ubuntu packages on Debian: these are just a few packages. They will not break your system. It's not like I'm suggesting to add an Ubuntu repository to /etc/apt/sources.list (which is a very bad idea). Installing these five Ubuntu packages is not different from installing third pty. debs such as davmail or frostwire, to name just a few.

[nomko]

Mhh, I'm quite surprised by the negative reactions in here. I think U1 is a nice concept - a Free alternative to stuff like dropbox. Honestly, I don't see what's wrong with it.

That's typical here. I never saw a positive reaction here..... Like Debian is so awesome.....

About installing Ubuntu packages on Debian: these are just a few packages. They will not break your system. It's not like I'm suggesting to add an Ubuntu repository to /etc/apt/sources.list (which is a very bad idea). Installing these five Ubuntu packages is not different from installing third pty. debs such as davmail or frostwire, to name just a few.

You're rigth about that!
And again, thanks for the good work!!