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[Solved] apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

Graphical Environments, Managers, Multimedia & Desktop questions.
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Dobeedoo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2018-01-24 05:50

[Solved] apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

#1 Post by Dobeedoo »

Hi,
just got severly unimpressed. I wanted to reinstall firefox-esr and while issuing 'apt-get remove --purge firefox-esr', it actually threatens to install chromium browser?! Why on earth? If I chose to not having an web browser, that should be MY decision... Can someone please explain why this is forced? Don't get it...

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get -s remove --purge firefox-esr
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  gimp-help-common libjsoncpp1
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following additional packages will be installed:
  chromium libminizip1 libre2-3
Suggested packages:
  chromium-l10n chromium-shell chromium-driver chromium-widevine
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  firefox-esr* gimp-help-sv*
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  chromium libminizip1 libre2-3
0 upgraded, 3 newly installed, 2 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Inst libminizip1 (1.1-8+b1 Debian:9.3/stable [amd64])
Inst libre2-3 (20170101+dfsg-1 Debian:9.3/stable [amd64])
Inst chromium (64.0.3282.119-1~deb9u1 Debian-Security:9/stable [amd64])
Purg gimp-help-sv [2.8.2-0.1]
Purg firefox-esr [52.6.0esr-1~deb9u1]
Conf libminizip1 (1.1-8+b1 Debian:9.3/stable [amd64])
Conf libre2-3 (20170101+dfsg-1 Debian:9.3/stable [amd64])
Conf chromium (64.0.3282.119-1~deb9u1 Debian-Security:9/stable [amd64])
Last edited by Dobeedoo on 2018-02-12 06:58, edited 1 time in total.

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Head_on_a_Stick
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Re: apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

#2 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

You really should mention which desktop environment you are using (if any).

For example, the GNOME desktop has a dependency on either firefox-esr or chromium so if you attempt to remove one then the other will be installed to satisfy the dependency.
deadbang

Dobeedoo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2018-01-24 05:50

Re: apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

#3 Post by Dobeedoo »

Good point, sorry for missing that. I use Cinnamon 3.2.7. I guess that has the same dependency as Gnome then. Question is why?

I would get it if it were a system-critical component

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Head_on_a_Stick
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Re: apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

#4 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

Dobeedoo wrote:why?
The maintainers of that desktop clearly believe that a browser is an essential component.

If you want more control, re-install and avoid metapackages like the plague.

EDIT: try https://packages.debian.org/stretch/cinnamon-core instead — that only suggests FF or Chromium.
deadbang

Dobeedoo
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Joined: 2018-01-24 05:50

Re: apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

#5 Post by Dobeedoo »

Sure, and they do a great job as far as I'm concerned too. I just want to have better control over my computer. I really hate it when things tell me what I can do, have to do, or not, when it makes no or little sense in what I try to accomplish.

Thanks for the Cinnamon-core tip, I will check it out further a rainy day.

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debiman
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Re: apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

#6 Post by debiman »

^ you need to understand metapackages.
they're empty packages that just contain dependencies to other packages.
most desktop environments are installed that way.
chances are, you can uninstall the cinnamon metapackage without uninstalling anything else.
then, and only then, it won't force you to install chromium.

Dobeedoo
Posts: 30
Joined: 2018-01-24 05:50

Re: apt-get remove INSTALLS packages?! What?

#7 Post by Dobeedoo »

debiman wrote:^ you need to understand metapackages.
they're empty packages that just contain dependencies to other packages.
most desktop environments are installed that way.
chances are, you can uninstall the cinnamon metapackage without uninstalling anything else.
then, and only then, it won't force you to install chromium.
Thanks for the explanation. However, I do understand this, and that some people find certain dependency's necessary while others don't. I am just slowly realizing I probably need to take Head_on_a_Stick's advice and re-install and then try to avoid metapackages (as much as possible). Question is of course if it will be worth it in the end. I like to think I'm in control over my own computer, or at least get the illusion that I am. :) I guess this could be debated forever since we all have different expectations, but as far as I'm concerned, my initial question has been answered.
Thanks all

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