Bugzilla – Bug 4018
dependencies on Ubuntu linux
Last modified: 2009-09-08 09:30:47 UTC
I installed the latest debian packages into a clean ubuntu dapper over the weekend, and was a little surprised to see postfix as a dependency..... The current slimserver.deb depends on "mysql-server-4.1 | mysql-server-5.0". Synaptic wanted to install version 4.1, which has a dependency on the "mailx" package. This seems to be undesirable. Many users might not want an MTA running with their slimserver. If mysql will really be sending emails (does it?) then it is not obvious how to configure postfix to avoid losing them (or avoid them remaining unread and filling up some partion ;-) Most importantly, the postfix deb package asks several difficult configuration questions during its installation which adds a serious speedbump to the slimserver installation process. I notice that mysql-server-5.0 does not depend on "mailx". (although it does have "Recommends: mailx").
the ways of debian packages are not always optimal. As far as I know, if we require mysql, we don't get a say in how mysql is installed. Perhaps Dan knows otherwise. Personally, I run an MTA even on very basic servers to email myself notes about when things go wrong. But I can see your points.
cc'ing Dean so he can be aware of the issue as well
mailx is not an MTA. It is an MUA, and the Debian/Ubuntu package says: Description: A simple mail user agent mailx is the traditional command-line-mode mail user agent. Even if you don't use it it may be required by other programs. There is no running daemon, it simply allows for sending mail to the root user of the local system. Additionally, exim4 is is the default MTA which asks very few questions, and IIRC is installed by default on all Debian/Ubuntu systems. This should be marked as WONTFIX.
I've added some documentation to our Debian Package wiki page at http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.cgi?DebianPackage to reduce end-user confusion.