For whatever reason a good deal of Debian packagers like to tack on a whole slew of "optional" dependencies to the packages they create. By default apt-get installs all of these extra dependencies on your computer. If you are like me and don't want all the extra bloat it is as simple as running apt-get with on extra argument:
sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends foo
In the above example "foo" is the name of the package you wish to install. Doing this can save a good bit of space on your system. For example:
sudo apt-get install abiword
VS
sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends abiword
or
sudo apt-get install k3b
VS
sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends k3b
~Jeff Hoogland
Thanks for the tip! Didn't know about it
ReplyDeleteWow,so simple yet effective. Thanks Jeff.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI still can't belive that this is the work of one guy.And you stil manage to post relevant and interesting stuff.Like allways +1 dude
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be good if #apt-get install foo led to the list of all necessary packages, with an question offering to add your choice of recommended packages before going ahead with the download and installation?
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, thanks for a very useful work-around.
To make this the default behavior, I have a file called "/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/97norecommends" with the following:
ReplyDeleteAPT
{
Install-Recommends "false";
};
It's amazing what efforts you hobbyists will go through to save 75mb.
ReplyDelete- Jon
I think a G+ Page would benefit Bohdi. I'd also like to follow this blog, but don't see a button.
ReplyDeleteBodhi has a Google+ page. You can also follow my personal page for blog updates on G+ :)
ReplyDeleteya, I also saw that here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liberiangeek.net/2011/11/ubuntu-tips-install-programs-in-ubuntu-without-unnecessary-packages/#more-23398
"It's amazing what efforts you hobbyists will go through to save 75mb."
ReplyDeleteI also do crazy, amazing things like turn off the light when I'm leaving a room, and not leaving the water running while I brush my teeth.
Does this sort of thing also work when doing a dist-upgrade? Or a better question - any way to (quickly/easily) go and uninstall all of the optional packages for stuff you already have installed?
ReplyDeleteDist upgrade shouldn't pull in all the extra stuff.
ReplyDeleteTried the tip above about making this the default behavior, but it didn't work. Any other suggestions?
ReplyDelete