.deb files can't be opened in Xfce

take_a_number · 2020-05-06 00:14:44

Trying to put VirtualBox on a fresh install on a Lenovo L380. Trying to extract the .deb file results in the following error from XArciver:

Failed to execute child process "ar" (No such file or directory)

Anyway idea what causes this and/or how to fix it? I haven't tried using the command line as a workaround, but I'd prefer being able to get the .deb file to extract properly like it's supposed to.

Head_on_a_Stick · 2020-05-06 11:45:04

# apt install binutils

take_a_number · 2020-05-06 12:39:02

Media change: please insert the disc labeled 'devuan_ascii_2.0.0_amd64_dvd-1' in the drive '/media/cdrom/' and press [Enter]

The Lenovo L380 does not have a CD-ROM drive, I burned the iso to a USB image. Pressing Enter does not allow progression regardless of whether the USB is inserted or not.

What should be done differently?

Last edited by take_a_number (2020-05-06 12:39:26)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2020-05-06 12:54:09

That message suggests that you did not select a mirror during the installation process so the installer left the CD-ROM source entries enabled.

Use

# apt edit-sources

then remove the CD-ROM lines and add some repositories as per https://devuan.org/os/etc/apt/sources.list

But I really don't recommend VirtualBox, it's the worst virtualisation solution around and was removed from Debian's stable release because the VB devs don't give a crap about security issues: https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugrepo … bug=794466

I would recommend QEMU/KVM instead: https://wiki.debian.org/KVM

take_a_number · 2020-05-12 01:13:54

Sorry for the late reply. Couldn't access the site for some reason and I wasn't sure why. Turns out my browser got mistaken for a bot yet again.

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

That message suggests that you did not select a mirror during the installation process so the installer left the CD-ROM source entries enabled.
Use
# apt edit-sources
then remove the CD-ROM lines and add some repositories as per https://devuan.org/os/etc/apt/sources.list

I did select a mirror during the installation process, though, which is very peculiar. Also from just the link it isn't all that clear exactly what needs to be swapped. I temporarily put Linux Mint back on the machine and have the live iso version of Devuan on a VirtualBox VM right now, as a sort of role reversal. Maybe installing from the live iso will give me better results. But the USB isn't being recognized even with guest additions, which is a big problem for what I'm trying to accomplish.

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

But I really don't recommend VirtualBox, it's the worst virtualisation solution around and was removed from Debian's stable release because the VB devs don't give a crap about security issues: https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugrepo … bug=794466
I would recommend QEMU/KVM instead: https://wiki.debian.org/KVM

Is it as reliable as VirtualBox, though? Or as easy to use in terms of setting up and configuring VMs? Took a look at the official site and the devs don't appear to distribute it as a tarball or anything similar. I know apt-get is generally preferred, but for what I need it's important to have a local copy of the installation files just that I can at least always have access to something functional while I'm configuring things for privacy. Helps to reduce possible leaks. Maybe there's some way I can make the tarball myself?

Perhaps I need to go into some more detail about what it is I'm trying to accomplish. The plan is to put together a "recipe" of sorts for a strong privacy focused setup that any layman can easily follow. The strategy is to use Devuan as a host OS and to access the Internet though browsers in a VM. The VMs access the network via a USB Wi-Fi dongle connected directly to the VM with randomized MAC addresses. All traffic is routed through a VPN with both a good kill switch to prevent IP leaks, and that allows secure and anonymous payment methods (Monero, gift card conversion).

Come to think of it, I'll be needing a tarball for a text editor with a proper GUI as well. Any recommendations?

Head_on_a_Stick · 2020-05-12 16:45:42

take_a_number wrote:

from just the link it isn't all that clear exactly what needs to be swapped

For beowulf you will need something like this:

deb http://deb.devuan.org/merged beowulf main
#deb-src http://deb.devuan.org/merged beowulf main

deb http://deb.devuan.org/merged beowulf-security main
#deb-src http://deb.devuan.org/merged beowulf-security main

deb http://deb.devuan.org/merged beowulf-updates main
#deb-src http://deb.devuan.org/merged beowulf-updates main

Un-comment the deb-src lines if you ever need to patch packages, the contrib & non-free components can be added after main if you want them (heathen!).

take_a_number wrote:

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:
I would recommend QEMU/KVM instead
Is it as reliable as VirtualBox, though?

It's more reliable than VB and *much* more secure (VB relies on blobs).

take_a_number wrote:

Or as easy to use in terms of setting up and configuring VMs?

Apparently virt-manager is quite good but I've never used it myself. CLI ftw!

take_a_number wrote:

Took a look at the official site and the devs don't appear to distribute it as a tarball or anything similar. I know apt-get is generally preferred, but for what I need it's important to have a local copy of the installation files just that I can at least always have access to something functional while I'm configuring things for privacy. Helps to reduce possible leaks. Maybe there's some way I can make the tarball myself?

Use apt source to download the source packages, which will include the upstream tarball from which the binary packages are derived.

take_a_number wrote:

I'll be needing a tarball for a text editor with a proper GUI as well. Any recommendations?

ed, man! man ed!

https://pkginfo.devuan.org/stage/beowul … .15-1.html

GUIs are for suckers...

take_a_number · 2020-05-17 20:37:29

Back after having to takecare of a few things.

I tried grabbing the source files for KVM with apt source like you suggested. Attempting this results in the following error:

E: You must put some 'source' URIs in your sources.list

Seeing as how you provided no such links I need to know these URIs and where to put them.

I tried using the apt-get install method as well in the link you gave. This attempt starts out with no hiccups but encounters a problem down the line stating several items 404'd. It recommended throwing in --fix-missing. I tried that and no errors popped up this time. But I'm not sure if that got anything working.

In either case KVM doesn't show up on the applications menu at all, so I can't run it, and I have yet another problem that needs to be fixed.

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

take_a_number wrote:
I'll be needing a tarball for a text editor with a proper GUI as well. Any recommendations?
ed, man! man ed!
https://pkginfo.devuan.org/stage/beowul … .15-1.html
GUIs are for suckers...

I know, right? Intuitive software design with immediate and conveyant feedback? Menus? Icons? A mouse? That stuff's for peasants. Only dumb people like clicking on things. Us true Rick and Morty fans all know the only real way to use a computer is to spend years of your precious life slaving away reading manuals and memorizing thousands of keyboard polka dances. That way you can treat your machine like the glorified typewriter it was always meant to be. We GNU/Linux user love CLI, CLI is our precious babby. Windows and other proprietary heretics don't worship CLI like we worship CLI. That's why proprietary OSes are the minority of the market share of OS usage and we dominate the world with our Year of the Linux Deskto...

Oh, right.

http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/030923c
http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/030924c

Seriously though, curb your autism. The overwhelming majority of CLI programs are needlessly convoluted dumpster fires unsuitable for tasks that don't demand complexity. I laid out a specific goal in mind with a specific use case and you're derailing it for no good reason other than to stroke your own ego. I have no qualms about making adjustments to my "recipe" so long as the end results align with my goals. But if I'm shopping for a new wrench set and you're badgering me to buy some of your lima beans instead then you're just wasting both my time and yours and shouldn't be posting in the help section at all.

I have a need for a solid, stable, simple (or as close as you can get to it) privacy solution. But I am a very busy individual with a lot on my plate. I have neither the time, the energy, nor the interest to invest in worming my way through the kind of insanity you're endorsing. I have shit that needs to get done. Important shit. Urgent shit. And I need to get it done in as safe and secure a manner as I reasonably can. LOTS of people do.

CLI obsessives like you and your insufferable attitude towards the end user are one of the biggest reasons the modern day tech landscape is the hellspawn of a panopticon that it is. You do at least clearly grasp the threat enough to be using a non-systemd distro in the first place, sure. But you have no grasp on the win conditions for a better future or how to attain it in an actionable manner. In other words, non-intuitive software design holds back software freedom for everyone. You're not fighting the botnet, you're aiding and abetting it.

I will ask you one more time. What GUI text editor for devuan do you recommend the most? Stop beating around the bush and we can stop playing this idiotic game of telephone.

Head_on_a_Stick · 2020-05-17 21:01:07

take_a_number wrote:

I tried grabbing the source files for KVM with apt source like you suggested. Attempting this results in the following error:
E: You must put some 'source' URIs in your sources.list
Seeing as how you provided no such links I need to know these URIs and where to put them.

Hint: the "src" in the "deb-src" repository lines is short for "source code"

take_a_number wrote:

KVM doesn't show up on the applications menu at all

KVM is a kernel module, you want QEMU instead. As you appear to be CLI-phobic then you will probably prefer virt-manager.

Another hint: read the Debian wiki page to which I linked earlier

take_a_number wrote:

CLI obsessives like you and your insufferable attitude towards the end user are one of the biggest reasons the modern day tech landscape is the hellspawn of a panopticon that it is.

Thanks!

take_a_number wrote:

You do at least clearly grasp the threat enough to be using a non-systemd distro in the first place, sure.

Well actually...

empty@E485 ~ % cat /proc/1/comm
systemd
empty@E485 ~ %

take_a_number wrote:

I will ask you one more time. What GUI text editor for devuan do you recommend the most?

I can't stand GUI text editors, I use vim. The ed thing was actually intended as a joke but you've clearly had a sense of humour bypass, my condolences.

fsmithred · 2020-05-17 21:03:40

tl;dr (I read the black parts and the last paragraph.)

E: You must put some 'source' URIs in your sources.list

Uncomment the deb-src lines and update the package cache. ('apt update' or Refresh in synaptic)

gui text editors I have known and loved:
mousepad, leafpad, gedit, kedit, medit, pluma, geany
The first two are very simple. The others have more features.

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#1 2020-05-06 00:14:44

.deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#2 2020-05-06 11:45:04

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#3 2020-05-06 12:39:02

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#4 2020-05-06 12:54:09

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#5 2020-05-12 01:13:54

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#6 2020-05-12 16:45:42

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#7 2020-05-17 20:37:29

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#8 2020-05-17 21:01:07

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

#9 2020-05-17 21:03:40

Re: .deb files can't be opened in Xfce

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