dpkg-repack to the rescue!

In my need to back up debs from my installed system (trying to fix Brostrend's idiotic mistake) I found a very useful tool!

For years I would just backup /var/cache/apt/archives to my storage drive, and call it a day.

This doesn't work anymore for Ubuntu because not all the debs that are installed are in that folder anymore.

Using the great info I found at AskUbuntu, i first used apt-get to install dpkg-repack, then made a folder on my boot drive named repack, changed directory to that folder, and then I ran the command dpkg-repack `dpkg --get-selections | grep install | cut -f1`.

In just a few minutes I had a folder named repack with every single deb package i had installed in the folder.

For me this is very very useful.

According to the AskUbuntu article, sudo dpkg -i *.deb launched from inside the repack folder will re-install every debian package in that folder.

I haven't personally tried this yet, but when I do, if this goes other than planned, I will update this article.

I'm not 100% certain whether it handles all my dependencies yet, but I will let you know once I have confirmation.

-Denny

The stupidity of Brostrend wifi adapters

I bought an ac1200 from them. Let me first say in all fairness, if you can get it to run, it's very nice. I am writing you via it right now.

The stupidity comes in when they give you a wifi adapter for Linux that by their own admission, needs a driver FROM THE INTERNET.

They told me via email that the driver on the cd is not recommended for use.

This is the stupidest possible issue you could ever have with a device that you use to gain access to the internet (kind of like having a gasoline driven car in the 1600's, gasoline doesn't exist yet.)

If I buy a wifi device, i expect that it will come with EVERYTHING i need to gain access to the internet, including a driver that does NOT need a internet connection to be installed.

Secondly, I know this can be done. (Brostrend said it was impossible, they are either completely clueless, or lying, or both).

How do I know this? I own several wireless N devices that come with a driver that has worked from Ubuntu 10.04 until today, (yes, they run on 20.04 lts beautifully).

I would still be using them, but they are dramatically slower than the ac1200.

The moral of my story: either don't buy a Brostrend device for Linux at all, or also buy a model known to work with Ubuntu as well, without needing a internet connection, so you can install the blasted drivers for the Brostrend device.

All I can say is thank goodness I have those older wifi n adapters lying around, or I would be internet-less.

 Thanks for being serious screw ups, Brostrend.

-Denny