Hello,
Switching to beta channel and updating almost always messes up my Stellarmate installation - KStars, PHP2 and some more features would disappear.
How to do this right?

After the last stable update the Package Updater is removed from the desktop.
At the same time there's a new Software Updates icon on the desktop.
What exactly does it do?
Is it the same as to go to the Control Panel and click on update?

If I am on the Stable channel I usually go to the Control Panel and check for updates.
If there are updates I open Package Updater (there would be a list of updates) and click on Install Updates.
The updates get installed smoothly.

Now. If I switch to the Beta channel, then Control Panel / check for updates - there are updates.
I open Package Updater (there would be a list of updates) - the updates start to update without my interaction.
But not all of them - only INDI related I suppose. For the rest I need to click Install Updates.
And in the end I get a messed up SM installation

What am I doing not right?
Please advise.
Thanks!




 

I managed to beta-update without messing up anything.

Booted. Stable channel. Check for updates in Control Panel. Package Updater. Update. OK.
Rebooted. Switched to Beta channel in Control Panel. Checked for updates in Control Panel. Package Updater. Updates started by themselves but went OK.
Nothing is broke (I hope).

I now have KStars Build: 2021-06-03T12:21:47Z

Still, the update procedure is not straightforward.
It was much easier/reliable in the Ubuntu/Mate days.

 

So, I did all the above and got myself a beta release of INDI/KStars/Ekos. Fine! I was glad.
Next day, I went in and opened Software Updates just to see what would happen.
It opened with a window saying Stellarmate OS was updating...
It hang at 8% and after that (I waited for 20 min or so and then rebooted) Stellarmate was completely broken - wouldn't even boot.
Luckily I had a good backup...

Continue talking to myself...
Today I tried to get beta updates one more time and failed again...

Same pattern.
-- checked Standard channel in Control Panel - no updates
-- switched to Beta - there were updates
-- opened Package Updater
-- Package Updater was populated and the updates were downloading/installing without me clicking on Install.
-- eventually Package Updater finished but there were 30 or so packages still left (not INDI related).
-- I opened KStars - it was new (beta).
-- I closed Package Updater - INDI/KStars/PHD2/etc disappeared from the system.

Am I right in thinking that:
When I am in Beta channel and click on Check Updates they are downloaded/installed automatically?
Looks like they are.
There's no progress/info so I just need to wait like 30 min hoping it's finished?

I am going to try this right away : )

Yes, I was right!
When in Beta channel and clicking on Check Updates in Control Panel the updates are downloaded/installed automatically.
(In Stable channel it's different - you need to go to Package Updater and click on Install).
I waited for about 30 min, the network monitor/graph in Control Panel didn't show much activity but in the end the system got updated.
New (beta) KStars and properly working RST-135 driver.
Great!
It worked but I think something needs to be done to the update system - currently it's really finicky when not in the Standard channel.

Thanks!

I hope you find the solution. I've tried updating from the beta channel a couple of times... both times it ruined my setup. I've learned to take a complete backup of the SD before trying anything.

I would love to have this work, as fixes could be applied quicker... don't have to wait for stable release.

ROn

I think I did find the solution.
-- switch to beta channel in Control Panel
-- check for updates
-- after that the updates will start running/installing by themselves. No progress indicator.
    Don't do anything, just wait for 15-20 min and let them finish in the background.
This worked for me two times in a row.
What I also found - if you switch back to the Stable channel and check/install the updates - this will remove the beta updates.

I am new to KStars/Ekos/INDI/Stellarmate. I have a Pi4 8GB with Stellarmate installed and it's working fairly well, other than the Paramount support is not quite there. It's close, but not quite right, and so I need to install and test nightly/beta releases for that driver when fixes make their way out. I am confused on the recommended way to keep things updated as well as how to get beta updates for drivers I might need to try. With other Pi's that I do not use to control astro devices I usually just do sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade. I do this on my Stellarmate as well but there are other options and I just don't know what the recommended procedure. I could use some advice on when to use the following options (and if there are other options besides these):
1. Software Updater icon on desktop: This is set to the Stable channel and I do not see any way to change it to the Beta channel. This thread often refers to setting the channel in the Control Panel but I cannot find a Control Panel so I guess I'm so new to the Stellarmate distro I need help with even something as simple as that.
2. Command-line: update_indi_core and update_indi_drivers
3. Command-line: apt update and apt upgrade

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide,

Jeff

To get to the Control Panel you need to open the Web Browser and point it to http://localhost:3000/
There you can select the Beta Channel.
I think what it does (beta channel update there) is just it issues sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade and sudo apt dist-upgrade for you.

Update/upgrade routines are definitely need to be made more straightforward, understandable and easier to use in SM.

Tried the localhost:3000... switching channels between stable and beta gives me the same option "up to date". Upper corner says 1.6.1.

Tried the software updater on the desktop, says I'm 1.6.1 stable... hit update, no new updates. There is no option to switch to beta.

Tried Package updater under accessories, it indicates I'm up to date as well.

Tried sudo apt-get -y dist-upgrade, update, and upgrade. All of them indicate I'm on buster and up to date.

Is there something I'm missing?

Chris