Debian advice

[Hedon James]

After many months of a (mostly) successful run of SparkyLinux LXQT in a VM, I've decided to give Debian Testing a shot in a VM.

 

No issues with Sparky, and I kinda like the fact Sparky isn't so stringent about proprietary and/or non-free software as Debian is.  But I'm also curious to see how different the "mother" distro is to the spawn.  So I've spun up Debian 10 LXQT in a VM and attempting to make it like Sparky.

 

1 - Problem #1...performance is HORRIBLE in VirtualBox (VB) and can't install virtualbox-guest-utils from repo.  So installed VB addons and rebuilt kernel with dkms, rebooted and everything is good to go.

2 - completely updated the Buster distro, then changed the repos to Testing and added the contrib and non-free to main

3 - after repo modifications in item #2, performed sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade.  There are 1,271 packages to be upgraded (no surprise), with none to be removed (a beautiful thing, I'm told).  However, I notice MANY of these packages appear to be language and/or locale packages.  For instance, here is my list from terminal:

 

Quote

jim@DebianTesting-VM:~$ sudo apt upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  fcitx-frontend-qt4 g++-8 libbluetooth3 libbrlapi0.6 libcrystalhd3 libdouble-conversion1
  libigdgmm5 libilmbase23 libisl19 libkf5auth5 libllvm7 liblouis17 libopenexr23 libqt4-dbus
  libqt4-xml libqtcore4 libqtdbus4 libqtgui4 libreadline7
  libreoffice-avmedia-backend-gstreamer libstdc++-8-dev libwnck-common libwnck22 libx265-165
  libxfconf-0-2 qdbus qt-at-spi qtchooser qtcore4-l10n
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  bubblewrap cpp-9 featherpad-l10n fonts-symbola fonts-urw-base35 g++-9 gcc-9 gcc-9-base
  gstreamer1.0-plugins-ugly libbrlapi0.7 libdouble-conversion3 libgcc-9-dev libigdgmm11
  libilmbase24 libip4tc2 libip6tc2 libisl21 libjson-c4 libkf5authcore5 libllvm9 liblouis19
  libnfs13 libopencore-amrnb0 libopencore-amrwb0 libopenexr24 libpoppler-glib8 libreadline8
  libreoffice-sdbc-mysql libsidplay1v5 libsrt1 libstdc++-9-dev libuim-data libusrsctp1
  libvpx6 libx265-179 libxcb-res0 libxfce4ui-2-0 libxfconf-0-3 libxpresent1
  linux-headers-5.2.0-3-amd64 linux-headers-5.2.0-3-common linux-image-5.2.0-3-amd64
  linux-kbuild-5.2 logsave mesa-vulkan-drivers qt5-gtk2-platformtheme
  qt5-style-plugin-cleanlooks qt5-style-plugin-motif qt5-style-plugin-plastique runit-helper
  timgm6mb-soundfont xdg-dbus-proxy
The following packages have been kept back:
  gir1.2-polkit-1.0 gvfs gvfs-backends gvfs-common gvfs-daemons gvfs-fuse gvfs-libs
  libalgorithm-diff-xs-perl libcairo-perl libfile-fcntllock-perl libglib-perl
  libhtml-parser-perl liblocale-gettext-perl libnet-dbus-perl libnet-ssleay-perl
  libpango-perl libpolkit-agent-1-0 libpolkit-gobject-1-0 libsmbclient libsnmp30
  libtext-charwidth-perl libtext-iconv-perl libwbclient0 libxml-parser-perl orca perl
  perl-base policykit-1 samba-libs synaptic
The following packages will be upgraded:
  acl acpid adwaita-icon-theme anacron ant ant-optional anthy anthy-common apparmor apt
  apt-utils aria2 aspell aspell-eu aspell-pt-pt at-spi2-core base-files bind9-host binutils
  binutils-common binutils-x86-64-linux-gnu blt bluez bsdutils btrfs-progs build-essential
  bzip2 ca-certificates-java coinor-libcbc3 coinor-libcgl1 coinor-libclp1
  coinor-libcoinutils3v5 coinor-libosi1v5 connman console-setup console-setup-linux
  coreutils cpio cpp cpp-8 cron cryptsetup cryptsetup-bin cryptsetup-initramfs
  cryptsetup-run cups-client cups-common dash dbus dbus-user-session dconf-cli
  dconf-gsettings-backend dconf-service debconf debconf-i18n debianutils default-jre
  default-jre-headless desktop-base desktop-file-utils dirmngr distro-info-data dkms
  dmidecode e2fsprogs eject enchant fakeroot fcitx fcitx-bin fcitx-data fcitx-frontend-all
  fcitx-frontend-gtk2 fcitx-frontend-gtk3 fcitx-frontend-qt5 fcitx-module-dbus
  fcitx-module-kimpanel fcitx-module-lua fcitx-module-x11 fcitx-modules fcitx-pinyin
  fcitx-sunpinyin fcitx-table fcitx-table-wubi fcitx-ui-classic
  fcitx5-module-quickphrase-editor fdisk featherpad ffmpeg file findutils firebird3.0-common
  firebird3.0-common-doc firebird3.0-server-core firebird3.0-utils fontconfig
  fonts-hosny-amiri fonts-ipafont fonts-ipafont-gothic fonts-ipafont-mincho fonts-kacst-one
  fonts-liberation fonts-liberation2 fonts-nanum fonts-nanum-coding fonts-noto-cjk
  fonts-noto-cjk-extra fonts-opensymbol fonts-smc-chilanka fonts-smc-meera
  fonts-smc-raghumalayalamsans fonts-thai-tlwg fonts-tlwg-garuda fonts-tlwg-garuda-ttf
  fonts-tlwg-kinnari fonts-tlwg-kinnari-ttf fonts-tlwg-laksaman fonts-tlwg-laksaman-ttf
  fonts-tlwg-loma fonts-tlwg-loma-ttf fonts-tlwg-mono fonts-tlwg-mono-ttf fonts-tlwg-norasi
  fonts-tlwg-norasi-ttf fonts-tlwg-purisa fonts-tlwg-purisa-ttf fonts-tlwg-sawasdee
  fonts-tlwg-sawasdee-ttf fonts-tlwg-typewriter fonts-tlwg-typewriter-ttf fonts-tlwg-typist
  fonts-tlwg-typist-ttf fonts-tlwg-typo fonts-tlwg-typo-ttf fonts-tlwg-umpush
  fonts-tlwg-umpush-ttf fonts-tlwg-waree fonts-tlwg-waree-ttf fortunes-it fuse g++ g++-8
  galternatives gcc gcc-8 gcc-8-base gcr gdbm-l10n gdisk geoclue-2.0 geoip-database
  gir1.2-atk-1.0 gir1.2-atspi-2.0 gir1.2-freedesktop gir1.2-gdkpixbuf-2.0 gir1.2-glib-2.0
  gir1.2-gst-plugins-base-1.0 gir1.2-gstreamer-1.0 gir1.2-gtk-3.0 gir1.2-notify-0.7
  gir1.2-packagekitglib-1.0 gir1.2-pango-1.0 gir1.2-secret-1 gir1.2-wnck-3.0 glib-networking
  glib-networking-common glib-networking-services gnome-keyring gnome-keyring-pkcs11 gnupg
  gnupg-l10n gnupg-utils gpg gpg-agent gpg-wks-client gpg-wks-server gpgconf gpgsm gpgv
  grub-common grub-pc grub-pc-bin grub2-common gsettings-desktop-schemas gsfonts-x11
  gstreamer1.0-gl gstreamer1.0-gtk3 gstreamer1.0-libav gstreamer1.0-plugins-bad
  gstreamer1.0-plugins-base gstreamer1.0-plugins-good gstreamer1.0-pulseaudio gstreamer1.0-x
  gtk-update-icon-cache gtk2-engines-pixbuf gucharmap gzip haveged hostname hspell
  hspell-gui hunspell hunspell-bg hunspell-bn hunspell-bs hunspell-cs hunspell-da
  hunspell-en-gb hunspell-eu hunspell-fr hunspell-fr-classical hunspell-gl hunspell-gl-es
  hunspell-gu hunspell-hi hunspell-hr hunspell-hu hunspell-id hunspell-is hunspell-it
  hunspell-kmr hunspell-ko hunspell-lt hunspell-ne hunspell-pl hunspell-pt-br hunspell-pt-pt
  hunspell-ro hunspell-ru hunspell-si hunspell-sl hunspell-sr hunspell-sv hunspell-sv-se
  hunspell-te hunspell-th hunspell-vi hyphen-de hyphen-hr hyphen-hu hyphen-lt iamerican
  ibritish ibus-hangul idanish ienglish-common ifrench-gut ifupdown ihungarian
  iio-sensor-proxy iitalian init init-system-helpers initramfs-tools initramfs-tools-core
  intel-media-va-driver ipolish iportuguese iproute2 iptables iputils-ping iso-codes ispell
  iw java-common kasumi keyboard-configuration kio klibc-utils kmod krb5-locales
  kwayland-data kwayland-integration less liba52-0.7.4 libaa1 libabw-0.1-1 libacl1 libanthy1
  libanthyinput0 libao4 libaom0 libapparmor1 libappstream4 libapt-inst2.0 libapt-pkg5.0
  libarchive13 libaria2-0 libasan5 libasm-java libasound2 libasound2-data libaspell15
  libassuan0 libasyncns0 libatk-adaptor libatk-bridge2.0-0 libatk-wrapper-java
  libatk-wrapper-java-jni libatk1.0-0 libatk1.0-data libatomic1 libatspi2.0-0 libattr1
  libaudio2 libaudit-common libaudit1 libavcodec58 libavdevice58 libavfilter7 libavformat58
  libavresample4 libavutil56 libbasicusageenvironment1 libbcmail-java libbcpkix-java
  libbcprov-java libbind9-161 libbinutils libblas3 libblkid1 libblockdev-crypto2
  libblockdev-fs2 libblockdev-loop2 libblockdev-part-err2 libblockdev-part2
  libblockdev-swap2 libblockdev-utils2 libblockdev2 libbluetooth3 libbluray2 libbrlapi0.6
  libbrotli1 libbs2b0 libbsd0 libbsh-java libbz2-1.0 libc-ares2 libc-bin libc-dev-bin
  libc-l10n libc6 libc6-dev libcap-ng0 libcc1-0 libcddb2 libcdio-cdda2 libcdio-paranoia2
  libcdparanoia0 libcglib-java libclucene-contribs1v5 libclucene-core1v5 libclutter-1.0-0
  libclutter-1.0-common libcodemodel-java libcogl-common libcogl-pango20 libcogl-path20
  libcogl20 libcom-err2 libcommons-compress-java libcroco3 libcryptsetup12 libcups2
  libcupsfilters1 libcupsimage2 libcurl3-gnutls libdaemon0 libdatrie1 libdb5.3 libdbus-1-3
  libdbusmenu-qt5-2 libdc1394-22 libdconf1 libdjvulibre-text libdjvulibre21
  libdns-export1104 libdns1104 libdrm-amdgpu1 libdrm-common libdrm-intel1 libdrm-nouveau2
  libdrm-radeon1 libdrm2 libdvbpsi10 libeb16 libebml4v5 libedit2 libegl-mesa0 libegl1
  libegl1-mesa libenchant-voikko libenchant1c2a libeot0 libestr0 libevdev2 libexpat1
  libext2fs2 libfaad2 libfakeroot libfbclient2 libfcitx-config4 libfcitx-core0
  libfcitx-gclient1 libfcitx-qt5-1 libfcitx-qt5-data libfcitx-utils0 libfdisk1 libflac8
  libfluidsynth1 libfm-extra4 libfm-qt-l10n libfm-qt6 libfontconfig1 libfreetype6
  libfribidi0 libfstrm0 libfuse2 libgail-common libgail18 libgbm1 libgcc-8-dev libgcc1
  libgck-1-0 libgcr-base-3-1 libgcr-ui-3-1 libgcroots0 libgcrypt20 libgdata-common
  libgdata22 libgdbm-compat4 libgdbm6 libgdk-pixbuf2.0-0 libgdk-pixbuf2.0-bin
  libgdk-pixbuf2.0-common libgegl-0.4-0 libgegl-common libgeoip1 libgfortran5 libgimp2.0
  libgirepository-1.0-1 libgl1 libgl1-mesa-dri libglapi-mesa libgles2 libglib2.0-0
  libglib2.0-bin libglib2.0-data libglvnd0 libglx-mesa0 libglx0 libgme0 libgnutls30
  libgoa-1.0-0b libgoa-1.0-common libgomp1 libgpg-error0 libgpgme11 libgpgmepp6 libgpm2
  libgraphene-1.0-0 libgraphite2-3 libgroupsock8 libgs9 libgs9-common libgssapi-krb5-2
  libgstreamer-gl1.0-0 libgstreamer-plugins-bad1.0-0 libgstreamer-plugins-base1.0-0
  libgstreamer1.0-0 libgtk-3-0 libgtk-3-bin libgtk-3-common libgtk2.0-0 libgtk2.0-bin
  libgtk2.0-common libgucharmap-2-90-7 libgudev-1.0-0 libharfbuzz-icu0 libharfbuzz0b
  libhavege1 libhawtjni-runtime-java libhfstospell10 libhogweed4 libhtml-form-perl
  libhttp-cookies-perl libhttp-daemon-perl libhttpclient-java libhttpcore-java
  libhunspell-1.7-0 libib-util libicu63 libidn2-0 libieee1284-3 libijs-0.35 libinput-bin
  libinput10 libio-socket-ssl-perl libiptc0 libisc-export1100 libisc1100 libisccc161
  libisccfg163 libistack-commons-java libitm1 libiw30 libjack-jackd2-0 libjansi-java
  libjavascriptcoregtk-4.0-18 libjaxb-java libjbig2dec0 libjsoncpp1 libk5crypto3
  libkf5archive5 libkf5attica5 libkf5auth-data libkf5auth5 libkf5codecs-data libkf5codecs5
  libkf5completion-data libkf5completion5 libkf5config-bin libkf5config-data
  libkf5configcore5 libkf5configgui5 libkf5configwidgets-data libkf5configwidgets5
  libkf5coreaddons-data libkf5coreaddons5 libkf5crash5 libkf5dbusaddons-bin
  libkf5dbusaddons-data libkf5dbusaddons5 libkf5doctools5 libkf5globalaccel-bin
  libkf5globalaccel-data libkf5globalaccel5 libkf5globalaccelprivate5 libkf5guiaddons5
  libkf5i18n-data libkf5i18n5 libkf5iconthemes-bin libkf5iconthemes-data libkf5iconthemes5
  libkf5idletime5 libkf5itemviews-data libkf5itemviews5 libkf5jobwidgets-data
  libkf5jobwidgets5 libkf5kiocore5 libkf5kiontlm5 libkf5kiowidgets5 libkf5notifications-data
  libkf5notifications5 libkf5notifyconfig-data libkf5notifyconfig5 libkf5service-bin
  libkf5service-data libkf5service5 libkf5solid5 libkf5solid5-data libkf5sonnet5-data
  libkf5sonnetcore5 libkf5sonnetui5 libkf5textwidgets-data libkf5textwidgets5
  libkf5wallet-bin libkf5wallet-data libkf5wallet5 libkf5waylandclient5
  libkf5widgetsaddons-data libkf5widgetsaddons5 libkf5windowsystem-data libkf5windowsystem5
  libkf5xmlgui-bin libkf5xmlgui-data libkf5xmlgui5 libklibc libkmod2 libkrb5-3
  libkrb5support0 libkwalletbackend5-5 liblapack3 liblcms2-2 libldap-2.4-2 libldap-common
  liblilv-0-0 liblirc-client0 liblivemedia64 libllvm7 liblognorm5 liblouis-data liblsan0
  libltdl7 liblua5.2-0 liblwp-mediatypes-perl liblwres161 liblxqt-globalkeys-ui0
  liblxqt-globalkeys0 liblxqt-l10n liblxqt0 liblz4-1 liblzma5 libmagic-mgc libmagic1
  libmailtools-perl libmariadb3 libmatroska6v5 libmaven-resolver-java libmaven3-core-java
  libmbim-glib4 libmbim-proxy libmenu-cache-bin libmenu-cache3 libmhash2 libmicrodns0
  libmjpegutils-2.1-0 libmm-glib0 libmnl0 libmount1 libmpeg2-4 libmpeg2encpp-2.1-0
  libmpg123-0 libmplex2-2.1-0 libmpx2 libmtdev1 libmwaw-0.3-3 libmysofa0 libmythes-1.2-0
  libncurses6 libncursesw6 libnet-http-perl libnetfilter-conntrack3 libnettle6 libnewt0.52
  libnftnl11 libnghttp2-14 libnice10 libnl-3-200 libnl-genl-3-200 libnl-route-3-200 libnorm1
  libnotify4 libnspr4 libnss-myhostname libnss3 libnuma1 libnumbertext-1.0-0
  libnumbertext-data libopenal1 libopencc2 libopencc2-data libopenjp2-7 libopenmpt-modplug1
  libopenmpt0 libopus0 liborc-0.4-0 libotf0 libp11-kit0 libpackagekit-glib2-18
  libpam-gnome-keyring libpam-systemd libpango-1.0-0 libpangocairo-1.0-0 libpangoft2-1.0-0
  libpangoxft-1.0-0 libpaper-utils libpaper1 libparted-fs-resize0 libparted2 libpci3
  libpcre2-16-0 libpcre2-8-0 libpcre3 libpcsclite1 libphonon4qt5-4
  libplexus-component-annotations-java libplexus-interpolation-java libplexus-utils2-java
  libplymouth4 libpng16-16 libpolkit-qt5-1-1 libpoppler-qt5-1 libpoppler82 libpostproc55
  libpq5 libprocps7 libprotobuf-c1 libpulse-mainloop-glib0 libpulse0 libpulsedsp
  libpython-stdlib libpython2-stdlib libpython2.7 libpython2.7-minimal libpython2.7-stdlib
  libpython3-stdlib libpython3.7 libpython3.7-minimal libpython3.7-stdlib libqca-qt5-2
  libqca-qt5-2-plugins libqmi-glib5 libqmi-proxy libqt4-dbus libqt4-xml libqt5concurrent5
  libqt5core5a libqt5dbus5 libqt5gui5 libqt5network5 libqt5opengl5 libqt5printsupport5
  libqt5sql5 libqt5sql5-sqlite libqt5svg5 libqt5test5 libqt5widgets5 libqt5xml5 libqtcore4
  libqtdbus4 libqtgui4 libquadmath0 libraw19 libre2-5 libreoffice
  libreoffice-avmedia-backend-gstreamer libreoffice-base libreoffice-base-core
  libreoffice-base-drivers libreoffice-calc libreoffice-common libreoffice-core
  libreoffice-draw libreoffice-gtk3 libreoffice-help-ca libreoffice-help-common
  libreoffice-help-cs libreoffice-help-da libreoffice-help-de libreoffice-help-dz
  libreoffice-help-el libreoffice-help-en-gb libreoffice-help-en-us libreoffice-help-es
  libreoffice-help-et libreoffice-help-eu libreoffice-help-fi libreoffice-help-fr
  libreoffice-help-gl libreoffice-help-hi libreoffice-help-hu libreoffice-help-it
  libreoffice-help-ja libreoffice-help-km libreoffice-help-ko libreoffice-help-nl
  libreoffice-help-pl libreoffice-help-pt libreoffice-help-ru libreoffice-help-sk
  libreoffice-help-sl libreoffice-help-sv libreoffice-help-zh-cn libreoffice-help-zh-tw
  libreoffice-impress libreoffice-java-common libreoffice-l10n-ar libreoffice-l10n-ast
  libreoffice-l10n-be libreoffice-l10n-bg libreoffice-l10n-bn libreoffice-l10n-bs
  libreoffice-l10n-ca libreoffice-l10n-cs libreoffice-l10n-cy libreoffice-l10n-da
  libreoffice-l10n-de libreoffice-l10n-dz libreoffice-l10n-el libreoffice-l10n-en-gb
  libreoffice-l10n-en-za libreoffice-l10n-eo libreoffice-l10n-es libreoffice-l10n-et
  libreoffice-l10n-eu libreoffice-l10n-fa libreoffice-l10n-fi libreoffice-l10n-fr
  libreoffice-l10n-ga libreoffice-l10n-gl libreoffice-l10n-gu libreoffice-l10n-he
  libreoffice-l10n-hi libreoffice-l10n-hr libreoffice-l10n-hu libreoffice-l10n-id
  libreoffice-l10n-is libreoffice-l10n-it libreoffice-l10n-ja libreoffice-l10n-ka
  libreoffice-l10n-km libreoffice-l10n-ko libreoffice-l10n-lt libreoffice-l10n-lv
  libreoffice-l10n-mk libreoffice-l10n-ml libreoffice-l10n-mr libreoffice-l10n-nb
  libreoffice-l10n-ne libreoffice-l10n-nl libreoffice-l10n-nn libreoffice-l10n-pa-in
  libreoffice-l10n-pl libreoffice-l10n-pt libreoffice-l10n-pt-br libreoffice-l10n-ro
  libreoffice-l10n-ru libreoffice-l10n-si libreoffice-l10n-sk libreoffice-l10n-sl
  libreoffice-l10n-sr libreoffice-l10n-sv libreoffice-l10n-ta libreoffice-l10n-te
  libreoffice-l10n-th libreoffice-l10n-tr libreoffice-l10n-ug libreoffice-l10n-uk
  libreoffice-l10n-vi libreoffice-l10n-xh libreoffice-l10n-zh-cn libreoffice-l10n-zh-tw
  libreoffice-librelogo libreoffice-math libreoffice-nlpsolver libreoffice-report-builder
  libreoffice-report-builder-bin libreoffice-script-provider-bsh
  libreoffice-script-provider-js libreoffice-script-provider-python
  libreoffice-sdbc-firebird libreoffice-sdbc-hsqldb libreoffice-sdbc-postgresql
  libreoffice-style-colibre libreoffice-style-tango libreoffice-voikko
  libreoffice-wiki-publisher libreoffice-writer libresid-builder0c2a librest-0.7-0
  librevenge-0.0-0 librngom-java librsvg2-2 librsvg2-common librubberband2 libsaxonhe-java
  libsbc1 libsdl-image1.2 libsdl1.2debian libsdl2-2.0-0 libseccomp2 libsecret-1-0
  libsecret-common libselinux1 libsemanage-common libsemanage1 libsensors-config libsensors5
  libsepol1 libserd-0-0 libsidplay2 libsidplayfp4 libslang2 libsmartcols1 libsnappy1v5
  libsodium23 libsonic0 libsoup-gnome2.4-1 libsoup2.4-1 libsoxr0 libspectre1 libspeechd2
  libspeex1 libspeexdsp1 libsqlite3-0 libsratom-0-0 libss2 libssh-gcrypt-4 libssl1.1
  libstatgrab10 libstdc++-8-dev libstdc++6 libstemmer0d libswresample3 libswscale5
  libsynctex2 libsystemd0 libtag1v5 libtag1v5-vanilla libtalloc2 libtasn1-6 libtcl8.6
  libtdb1 libtevent0 libtext-wrapi18n-perl libthai-data libthai0 libtiff5 libtinfo6 libtk8.6
  libtsan0 libtxw2-java libu2f-udev libubsan1 libudev1 libudisks2-0 libuim-custom2
  libuim-scm0 libuim8 libunistring2 libupower-glib3 libusageenvironment3 libusb-1.0-0
  libusbmuxd4 libutempter0 libutf8proc2 libuuid1 libv4l-0 libv4lconvert0 libva-drm2
  libva-wayland2 libva-x11-2 libva2 libvdpau1 libvidstab1.1 libvisio-0.1-1 libvlc-bin
  libvlc5 libvlccore9 libvoikko1 libvte-2.91-0 libvte-2.91-common libvulkan1 libwacom-bin
  libwacom-common libwacom2 libwagon-http-java libwagon-provider-api-java libwavpack1
  libwayland-client0 libwayland-cursor0 libwayland-egl1 libwayland-server0
  libwebkit2gtk-4.0-37 libwebp6 libwebpdemux2 libwebpmux3 libwebrtc-audio-processing1
  libwnck-3-0 libwnck-3-common libwoff1 libwww-perl libx11-6 libx11-data libx11-xcb1
  libxapian30 libxatracker2 libxcursor1 libxdamage1 libxfce4ui-1-0 libxfce4ui-common
  libxfce4util-bin libxfce4util-common libxfce4util7 libxkbcommon-x11-0 libxkbcommon0
  libxkbfile1 libxml-twig-perl libxmlsec1 libxmlsec1-nss libxres1 libxslt1.1 libxsom-java
  libxtables12 libxvidcore4 libyaml-0-2 libyelp0 libzbar0 libzmq5 libzstd1 lightning
  linux-compiler-gcc-8-x86 linux-headers-amd64 linux-image-amd64 linux-libc-dev locales
  login logrotate lsb-base lsb-release lsof lxqt-config lxqt-config-l10n lxqt-globalkeys
  lxqt-globalkeys-l10n m17n-db man-db manpages manpages-dev mariadb-common mesa-va-drivers
  mesa-vdpau-drivers meteo-qt meteo-qt-l10n mime-support mlterm mlterm-common mlterm-tools
  modemmanager mount mozc-data mozc-server mozc-utils-gui mythes-cs mythes-en-us mythes-fr
  mythes-it mythes-ne mythes-ru mythes-sk nano ncurses-base ncurses-bin ncurses-term
  openjdk-11-jre openjdk-11-jre-headless openssl oxygen-icon-theme p11-kit p11-kit-modules
  p7zip p7zip-full packagekit packagekit-tools papirus-icon-theme parted passwd patch
  phantomjs phonon4qt5 phonon4qt5-backend-vlc pinentry-curses pinentry-gnome3 plymouth
  plymouth-label powertop procps psf-unifont psmisc publicsuffix pulseaudio pulseaudio-utils
  python python-glade2 python-gtk2 python-minimal python-numpy python-pkg-resources
  python-tk python2 python2-minimal python2.7 python2.7-minimal python3 python3-brlapi
  python3-bs4 python3-chardet python3-dbus python3-distro python3-gi python3-gst-1.0
  python3-idna python3-libvoikko python3-louis python3-lxml python3-minimal
  python3-pkg-resources python3-pyatspi python3-pyqt5 python3-sip python3-six python3-smbc
  python3-soupsieve python3-speechd python3-uno python3.7 python3.7-minimal qdbus qpdfview
  qpdfview-djvu-plugin qpdfview-ps-plugin qpdfview-translations qps qt5-gtk-platformtheme
  qt5-style-plugins qtcore4-l10n readline-common rsyslog rtkit sonnet-plugins
  speech-dispatcher speech-dispatcher-audio-plugins speech-dispatcher-espeak-ng sudo systemd
  systemd-sysv sysvinit-utils tar task-albanian-desktop task-amharic-desktop
  task-arabic-desktop task-asturian-desktop task-basque-desktop task-belarusian-desktop
  task-bengali-desktop task-bosnian-desktop task-brazilian-portuguese-desktop
  task-british-desktop task-bulgarian-desktop task-catalan-desktop task-chinese-s-desktop
  task-chinese-t-desktop task-croatian-desktop task-cyrillic-desktop task-czech-desktop
  task-danish-desktop task-desktop task-dutch-desktop task-dzongkha-desktop task-english
  task-esperanto-desktop task-estonian-desktop task-finnish-desktop task-french-desktop
  task-galician-desktop task-georgian-desktop task-german-desktop task-greek-desktop
  task-gujarati-desktop task-hebrew-desktop task-hindi-desktop task-hungarian-desktop
  task-icelandic-desktop task-indonesian-desktop task-irish-desktop task-italian-desktop
  task-japanese-desktop task-kannada-desktop task-kazakh-desktop task-khmer-desktop
  task-korean-desktop task-kurdish-desktop task-laptop task-latvian-desktop
  task-lithuanian-desktop task-lxqt-desktop task-macedonian-desktop task-malayalam-desktop
  task-marathi-desktop task-nepali-desktop task-northern-sami-desktop task-norwegian-desktop
  task-persian-desktop task-polish-desktop task-portuguese-desktop task-punjabi-desktop
  task-romanian-desktop task-russian-desktop task-serbian-desktop task-sinhala-desktop
  task-slovak-desktop task-slovenian-desktop task-south-african-english-desktop
  task-spanish-desktop task-swedish-desktop task-tamil-desktop task-telugu-desktop
  task-thai-desktop task-turkish-desktop task-ukrainian-desktop task-uyghur-desktop
  task-vietnamese-desktop task-welsh-desktop task-xhosa-desktop tasksel tasksel-data tcl
  tcl8.6 thunderbird tix tk8.6-blt2.5 ttf-unifont tzdata udev udisks2 uim uim-anthy uim-data
  uim-fep uim-gtk2.0 uim-gtk2.0-immodule uim-gtk3 uim-gtk3-immodule uim-mozc uim-plugins
  uim-qt5 uim-qt5-immodule uim-xim unifont uno-libs3 unzip update-inetd upower ure usbmuxd
  util-linux util-linux-locales uuid-runtime va-driver-all vdpau-driver-all vim-common
  vim-tiny vlc-data vlc-plugin-base vlc-plugin-video-output voikko-fi wfrench whiptail
  wireless-tools wpasupplicant wpolish wportuguese xbrlapi xfconf xfonts-thai
  xfonts-thai-etl xfonts-thai-manop xfonts-thai-nectec xfonts-thai-poonlap xfonts-thai-vor
  xfonts-unifont xfwm4 xiterm+thai xsane xsane-common xserver-xorg-input-libinput
  xserver-xorg-input-wacom xserver-xorg-video-amdgpu xserver-xorg-video-intel
  xserver-xorg-video-vesa xsettingsd xterm xxd xz-utils yelp yelp-xsl youtube-dl zenity
  zenity-common zlib1g
1271 upgraded, 52 newly installed, 0 to remove and 30 not upgraded.
Need to get 1,140 MB of archives.
After this operation, 709 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] n
Abort.

 

Looking through that list, there are several instances of "extraneous" packages that seem to have nothing to do with me, an english speaker in the USA.  Rather than update my "task-ukrainian-desktop", for instance, I'd like to remove all these extraneous packages.  I've removed "foreign language man pages" and also performed "dpkg -reconfigure-locale" (can't find the page reference at the moment), restarted the VM.  But no change in packages.  How can I get rid of all those extra packages?  Can anyone point me in right direction.

4 - still can't find some programs I'm interested in Testing repos (such as Kvantum), so planning to make from source and checkinstall to create DEB file, then install with gdebi so apt can keep track of dependencies, etc...  Trying not to make a FrankenDebian.  Anyone have any experience with programs that are NOT in Debian.  How do you install and manage, without creating FrankenDebian?   suggestions welcome.

 

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

 

[securitybreach]

Well the languages are in the section that says "The following packages will be upgraded" which tells me that you have those already installed. Try this command to verify:

sudo apt list --installed | grep libreoffice-l10n-ga

[sunrat]

After doing

dpkg-reconfigure locales

try

apt autoremove

There are some Kvantum packages in Bullseye - https://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=Kvantum

I don't bother changing themes much, the default Breeze in Plasma 5 is fine by me.

 

I think Testing is actually less reliable than Sid in Debian. It takes longer for upgrades to filter down from upstream including security ones so may be left in a broken start for many days occasionally. Like there was a huge Qt transition this week in Sid so that will hit soon. I wouldn't use or recommend Testing unless you are actually testing and submitting bug reports for developers.

siduction FTW!

[Hedon James]

@SB

I'm agree those packages are already installed.  But I can't figure out HOW or WHY that happened.  This is a brand new installation in VM, using the included Calamares installer, which I have seen and used many times before.  I'm guessing Debian includes all those by default.  But it seems stupid to me to keep those packages, and subsequently upgrade those packages, when all I want/need is US English.  This is my first go-round with the mothership of pure Debian, so no baseline of what IS and ISN'T "normal" behavior.

 

@sunrat

after using

apt autoremove

and a subsequent reboot, there is no change in the packages to be upgraded.  See comments to SB above.  I feel like I'm looking in the right area to address this problem, but haven't hit the bullseye yet (no pun intended).  Any idea how to get rid of slovenian, ukrainian, and other irrelevant "tasks" and "desktop" packages?

 

I had better success with your tip on Kvantum.  I couldn't find Kvantum using CLI apt search, but located the packages using Synaptic.  Turns out that 'Buntu syntax of

apt search cache packagename

is incorrect for Debian.  Debian Wiki indicates correct syntax for Debian package search is

apt search packagename

Using the correct syntax, I found the four (4) packages you referenced!  THANKS!

 

I also agree (mostly) with your comments regarding Sid and Testing.  I've had Siduction LXQT and Sparky LXQT in VMs for quite some time, and Siduction has required less intervention on my part.  I'm just trying to run Debian Testing in a VM as an exercise in additional learnings and trying to compare the difference(s) between Debian Testing and the somewhat curated Sparky repo experiences.  I do like the fact that Sparky isn't so stringent about non-free software in its repo.  For instance, I use MasterPDF Editor a LOT in my daily workflow...it's my "go to" PDF viewer.  Sparky shows a version available in its APTus software offering (although I haven't been able to install it, as APTus is hit & miss for me....I tend to stick to command line, with Synaptic as a backup), while Debian says "no way, it's non-free".  I'd like the freedom to install that software if I choose, but I'm also trying to comply with the standards promulgated to not make a "FrankenDebian".  It seems to me the best way to approach that when I need software that Debian doesn't provide, is to compile it myself into a Debian package, and use gdebi or dpkg to install, that way apt is aware and can track/update dependencies.  Or am I missing something?  Please feel free to correct me and/or educate me on a better way to accomplish what I've described.  THANK YOU!

[securitybreach]

15 minutes ago, Hedon James said:

@SB

I'm agree those packages are already installed.  But I can't figure out HOW or WHY that happened.  This is a brand new installation in VM, using the included Calamares installer, which I have seen and used many times before.  I'm guessing Debian includes all those by default.  But it seems stupid to me to keep those packages, and subsequently upgrade those packages, when all I want/need is US English.  This is my first go-round with the mothership of pure Debian, so no baseline of what IS and ISN'T "normal" behavior.

 

No, that is not normal. Here is a screenshot from a unmodified Debian vm:

 

[Hedon James]

Good stuff SB!

 

duplicating your grep search shows my libreoffice packages as follows:

 

jim@DebianTesting-VM:~$ sudo apt list --installed | grep libreoffice
[sudo] password for jim:

WARNING: apt does not have a stable CLI interface. Use with caution in scripts.

libreoffice-avmedia-backend-gstreamer/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-base-core/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-base-drivers/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-base/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-calc/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-common/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-core/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-draw/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-gtk3/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-help-ca/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-common/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-cs/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-da/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-de/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-dz/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-el/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-en-gb/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-en-us/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-es/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-et/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-eu/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-fi/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-fr/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-gl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-hi/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-hu/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-it/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-ja/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-km/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-ko/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-nl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-pl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-pt/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-ru/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-sk/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-sl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-sv/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-zh-cn/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-help-zh-tw/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-impress/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-java-common/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ar/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ast/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-be/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-bg/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-bn/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-bs/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ca/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-cs/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-cy/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-da/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-de/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-dz/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-el/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-en-gb/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-en-za/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-eo/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-es/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-et/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-eu/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-fa/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-fi/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-fr/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ga/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-gl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-gu/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-he/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-hi/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-hr/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-hu/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-id/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-is/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-it/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ja/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ka/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-km/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ko/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-lt/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-lv/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-mk/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ml/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-mr/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-nb/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ne/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-nl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-nn/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-pa-in/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-pl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-pt-br/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-pt/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ro/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ru/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-si/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-sk/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-sl/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-sr/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-sv/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ta/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-te/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-th/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-tr/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-ug/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-uk/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-vi/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-xh/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-zh-cn/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-l10n-zh-tw/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-librelogo/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-math/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-nlpsolver/now 0.9+LibO6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 0.9+LibO6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-report-builder-bin/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-report-builder/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-script-provider-bsh/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-script-provider-js/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-script-provider-python/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-sdbc-firebird/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-sdbc-hsqldb/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-sdbc-postgresql/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice-style-colibre/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-style-tango/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-voikko/now 5.0-3 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 5.0-3+b1]
libreoffice-wiki-publisher/now 1.2.0+LibO6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,upgradable to: 1.2.0+LibO6.3.2-1]
libreoffice-writer/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]
libreoffice/now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,upgradable to: 1:6.3.2-1+b1]

 

Scrolling the entire list of upgradeable packages on my VM, it seems the entire "group" of irrelevant packages are contained entirely within hunspell* (dictionary or spellcheck?), libreoffice (specifically help-* and l10n-* packages) , and task-*-desktop packages.  I feel like this confirms my thoughts of "locale" or "language pack" issues, but I've already reconfigured the locale (as discussed above) and removed language packs.  Not sure where to look next, as everything I find seems to suggest to reconfigure locale and remove language packs.  Since that didn't work, I'm now guessing it's a lower level issue.  Any additional thoughts welcome...

[V.T. Eric Layton]

Wow! This is also so techie. I'm impressed.

[Hedon James]

1 hour ago, V.T. Eric Layton said:

Wow! This is also so techie. I'm impressed.

 

Go back to bed Betelgeuse! 

[securitybreach]

This will remove the language packs from libreoffice
 

apt-get purge libreoffice-l10n*

 

[sunrat]

I only have Writer and Calc but way fewer packages than you:
 

roger@siduction-brain2:~$ apt list --installed | grep libreoffice

WARNING: apt does not have a stable CLI interface. Use with caution in scripts.

libreoffice-base-core/unstable,now 1:6.3.3~rc1-1 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-calc/unstable,now 1:6.3.3~rc1-1 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-common/unstable,now 1:6.3.3~rc1-1 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-core/unstable,now 1:6.3.3~rc1-1 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-style-colibre/unstable,now 1:6.3.3~rc1-1 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-style-tango/unstable,now 1:6.3.3~rc1-1 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-writer/unstable,now 1:6.3.3~rc1-1 amd64 [installed]

 

And incidentally, most apt commands like search and list which don't make changes can now be run as user, no su or sudo required.

If you used the Calamares installer, I presume you installed from a live USB/CD image. Maybe all those language packages are included to make the live system more universally useful. I much prefer to use the Debian Installer which doesn't have a live mode and is much more configurable. For Buster I used the netinstall which allows the leanest installation, only choosing "Standard System" and not even installing a desktop but adding kde-plasma-desktop package after rebooting which is the most minimal useful KDE. siduction uses Calamares though.

[Hedon James]

sunrat,

your presumption regarding livecd is correct.  and I think your explanation regarding Calamares vs Debian Installer makes the most sense.  Invoking Occam's Razer, I do believe your supposition connects the dots in the most concise way.  I would also note that my installation follows a website article regarding the "correct" way to install Debian Testing, which was to install the most recent Stable I can get my hands on, completely update && upgrade it, then change the repos in etc/sources from buster/stable to testing.  I added the contrib and non-free from another article I read.  It makes sense to me that a livecd of Debian Stable would provide locales for everything they have a language/translation for.  I have used the Calamares installer with Siduction before, but didn't have this issue....at least I didn't notice it.  But Siduction isn't trying to hold anyone's hand for an installation either...

 

FWIW, I've been trying to get "closer" to the "mother" distribution and see how packages in the "mother" may differ from "patched packages" in the progeny.  I've learned that the 'Buntus are forked from Debian Testing and massaged into 'Buntu.  I've read folks stating that Debian Testing and Sid are quite stable for them (despite the monikers), as long as you read the warnings and/or watch the apt messages before upgrading...and avoiding upgrades alltogether during times of heavy upheaval, like the monster QT package changes you mentioned.  I was trying to upgrade before that hit Testing, hence the hurry...

 

I feel like I'm "fighting" Debian to make it what I want.  Their software policies on free vs non-free are a huge PITA.  I understand their philosophy, and can agree with it fundamentally, but their implementation is too austere, IMO!

[securitybreach]

If you want vanilla but up to date packages, just run Archlinux. You will get the latest stable versions of packages not long after they are released from the original upstream devs...

[V.T. Eric Layton]

If you want REALLY stable old (antique in some cases) packages just run Slackware. It'll remind you of your youthful days because that's probably when the packages were first released. ;)

[securitybreach]

12 minutes ago, V.T. Eric Layton said:

If you want REALLY stable old (antique in some cases) packages just run Slackware. It'll remind you of your youthful days because that's probably when the packages were first released.

 

[Hedon James]

11 hours ago, securitybreach said:

If you want vanilla but up to date packages, just run Archlinux. You will get the latest stable versions of packages not long after they are released from the original upstream devs...

 

I must admit that the more I learn, the more interesting Arch becomes.  You said that would happen...looks like you're right.  I'm not there...yet...but I can see it on the horizon.  Exploring Debian proper is my last item on the Debian family checklist. 

 

When I've finished scratching the Debian/apt itch, the Arch/pacman ecosystem will be on deck.  But that's a whole 'nuther thread for a future day!

Edited October 27, 2019 by Hedon James

[Hedon James]

3 hours ago, V.T. Eric Layton said:

If you want REALLY stable old (antique in some cases) packages just run Slackware. It'll remind you of your youthful days because that's probably when the packages were first released. ;)

 

LOL!  I'm getting frustrated with 2 year LTS cycles in the 'buntus...appreciate the invitation but that'll be a hard pass on the Slacks!

[securitybreach]

Cool

 

[sunrat]

6 hours ago, Hedon James said:

 

I must admit that the more I learn, the more interesting Arch becomes.

 

To me, Arch sounds about as interesting as siduction. I'd rather go fishing or something than have two Linux obsessions!

[abarbarian]

16 hours ago, Hedon James said:

 

When I've finished scratching the Debian/apt itch, the Arch/pacman ecosystem will be on deck.  But that's a whole 'nuther thread for a future day!

 

I'd stick with the Debian stuff if I were you. Arch is so boring, You install it then do a couple of minutes updating every week, yawn yawn. Nothing ever goes wrong, it really is pretty mindbendingly tedious.

Watching paint dry would be far more exciting.

Edited October 27, 2019 by abarbarian

[securitybreach]

2 hours ago, abarbarian said:

 

I'd stick with the Debian stuff if I were you. Arch is so boring, You install it then do a couple of minutes updating every week, yawn yawn. Nothing ever goes wrong, it really is pretty mindbendingly tedious.

Watching paint dry would be far more exciting.

 

So much easier to maintain than a lot of other distros. The initial set  up is the most difficult part of it all.

[securitybreach]

Speaking of...

 

 

 

[sunrat]

So you're saying Debian is more geeky than Arch?

 

And if you install Bedrock Linux, is it more geeky to install Debian with an Arch stratum, or Arch with a Debian stratum?

https://bedrocklinux.org/index.html

 

^^^ I may try this out next rainy day.

[raymac46]

ray@ray-debian-T430:~$ apt list --installed | grep libreoffice

WARNING: apt does not have a stable CLI interface. Use with caution in scripts.

liblibreofficekitgtk/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-avmedia-backend-gstreamer/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-base-core/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-base-drivers/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-base/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-calc/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-common/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-core/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-draw/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-evolution/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-gnome/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-gtk3/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-help-common/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-help-en-us/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-impress/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-java-common/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed]
libreoffice-math/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-report-builder-bin/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-report-builder/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed]
libreoffice-sdbc-firebird/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-sdbc-hsqldb/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-sdbc-postgresql/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreoffice-style-colibre/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-style-elementary/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-style-tango/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,automatic]
libreoffice-writer/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 amd64 [installed]
libreofficekit-data/stable,now 1:6.1.5-3+deb10u4 all [installed,automatic]
ray@ray-debian-T430:~$ 

This is my Libre Office list from Debian Buster on the rails, originally Debian Stretch and with the netinstall CD.

[raymac46]

I have learned from bitter experience that running leading edge distros in VMs is asking for a brick to the head eventually.

Even Arch - which on the rails is as stable as you'd ever want - has given me problems in VirtualBox. The issue is always with Oracle methinks.

Right now my VM is MX-18 which is based on Debian oldstable.

Even my "on the rails" Debian is the current stable Buster. Both Testing and SID had too many updates for my liking.

The best way to install is to get a nonfree Debian netinstall image that lets you connect with wifi if needed and then have at it.

Debian stable worked great for my technophobe wife when she had my Thinkpad recently for a week of surfing at my daughter's house.

 

[Hedon James]

11 hours ago, raymac46 said:

I have learned from bitter experience that running leading edge distros in VMs is asking for a brick to the head eventually.

Even Arch - which on the rails is as stable as you'd ever want - has given me problems in VirtualBox. The issue is always with Oracle methinks.

Right now my VM is MX-18 which is based on Debian oldstable.

Even my "on the rails" Debian is the current stable Buster. Both Testing and SID had too many updates for my liking.

The best way to install is to get a nonfree Debian netinstall image that lets you connect with wifi if needed and then have at it.

Debian stable worked great for my technophobe wife when she had my Thinkpad recently for a week of surfing at my daughter's house.

 

 

I haven't had that experience with leading edge distros in VMs.  Arch, Manjaro, Siduction, Sparky...all in VMs on my system and all running fairly smoothly, mostly without incident, for at least 1+ year.  Perhaps the key, just like on the rails, is to keep updated in smaller monthly increments?  Any issues I've had seemed to revolve around graphics, mostly, which supports your assertion that it's Oracle issues (i tend to agree).  But usually if I reboot the VM and choose the original/former kernel, I'm back in business.  At least that's been MY experience.

 

I'll agree wholeheartedly with your comments regarding too many updates.  Seems like I'm ALWAYS updating the mentioned VMs before I can do anything to tinker with them.  Once again, you and I have very similar tastes and outlooks on our distros...we just conclude differently based on personal criteria.  There doesn't seem to be a "happy medium" in linux land for me.  I prefer the stability and familiarity of the "buntus  LTS distros, but upgrading in place is always a white-knuckle affair of hoping that no new quirks appear in the machine; to the point of learning that re-installation is just the smarter way to go, but re-installing my entire highly-customized OS every 2+/- years is a huge PITA.  Then factor in that I have a production desktop, laptop, old crappy "test bed" laptop, media server, studio computer, and a few other family members on similar release cycles and you can see how that turns into a bi-annual fiasco that I dread.  That's what started my rolling release quest, so I never have to re-install again.  But all those updates make it a challenge to keep all those machines sufficiently updated to maintain smooth operation.  In a VM is one thing, but on the rails I think it will be just a matter of time before I brick one of them due to lack of timely updating.  Just a thought...

 

Is there such a thing as a rolling STABLE distro?  Incremental updates, with NO re-installation ever?  I can't find one out there, but I also don't know what I don't know!  That's why I keep plugging distro ISOs into VMs...just trying to learn stuff.  Maybe stuff I'll never need to know, or never use, but it's not like I'm paying much for that knowledge! 

[raymac46]

I think one reason you have more stability in VMs is that you don't stay on the bleeding edge with VirtualBox. I update VB all the time and as a result I get all the glitches with the Guest Additions.

In my view the only rolling stable distro I'd consider is Arch Linux - install once, use forever. But for me it only works on the rails. If you have an actual test bed machine try it out, it is infinitely customizable and configurable. And honestly if you can read a cookbook, you can install it.

We also have a guru here to help if you need it.

Debian GNOME stable - and for that matter Ubuntu - has the unattended upgrades feature now which automatically downloads and installs security stuff. I'm not crazy about it but it would help out family members who aren't that savvy.

Debian stable can usually be upgraded to the next stable release easily enough and you only need to do that every couple of years. I haven't had any problems upgrading Mint lately either. But I am generally a default type of guy.

[securitybreach]

32 minutes ago, Hedon James said:

Is there such a thing as a rolling STABLE distro?  Incremental updates, with NO re-installation ever?  I can't find one out there, but I also don't know what I don't know!

 

If there were incremental updates, it would not be a rolling release distro.

[Hedon James]

5 minutes ago, securitybreach said:

 

If there were incremental updates, it would not be a rolling release distro.

 

i figured as much....pick your poison.  I love the idea of rolling release, but it seems impractical to keep a small network updated so frequently, and it's equally impractical to re-install a small network every 2+/- years.  What do small companies do that run Linux as an OS?  I've got to believe they've already solved this problem, while I'm still looking at options.

[securitybreach]

Well you could set up a local repo that pushes it out to all the other machines. Just running pacman -Syu every once in a while and you can hold back the kernel updates easily enough if you didn't want to have to reboot them often.

[sunrat]

We must remember that "Stable" in Debian terms means unchanging ie. packages will not be upgraded until the next release with exceptions for security upgrades and rarely for functionality improvements or bug fixes. It does not mean the distro is immune from glitches although it does have the incidental benefit of not introducing new glitches from fresh package errors.

Stable typically has about 5 upgrades monthly on my Buster install (almost always for security), whereas Unstable has more like 500.

As SB said, "stable rolling release" is an oxymoron both in Debian terms and in terms of immunity to fresh glitches.