Lately, I have been installing a few things with zypper. When doing so, I notice these Warnings:
Matt@LinuxBox:~> sudo zypper install python-setuptools
Loading repository data...
Warning: Repository 'openSUSE-13.2-Update' appears to be outdated. Consider using a different mirror or server.
Warning: Repository 'openSUSE-13.2-Update-Non-Oss' appears to be outdated. Consider using a different mirror or server.
Reading installed packages...
Resolving package dependencies...
The following NEW package is going to be installed:
python-setuptools
Since I’m fairly new to Linux, I’m not sure what this means or how to fix it. I am using OpenSuse 13.2, Gnome 3.14.1.
Are you referring to a complete upgrade of the OpenSuse operating system? If so, how did the system versions jump from the teen numbers all the way to 42, so suddenly?
That’s quite a story, and extensively discussed on the web. Search Google for ‘openSUSE version number’ and you’ll find what has been going on, plus that the next Leap major version will be Leap 15.
And yes, a complete upgrade. The issue probably arises by a mirror that’s no longer synced because 13.2 is officially dead.
Depends. If you’re running 32bit openSUSE 13.2, your only option is to move to Tumbleweed, since Leap doesn’t have a 32bit version anymore. We’re not the only distro stopping 32bit builds.
Basically you have two options: upgrade, or perform a clean install. Can you show us your repos?
For someone who is “fairly new to Linux” a fresh install is most likely the best option.
“Jumping” over versions (in this case that would be 42.1 which is also “dead” now) is not officially supported and although it can work, it might need some manual intervention afterwards to get things working as expected.
Hmm, I might be stepping into a trap if I venture down this path to try and do an upgrade. I’m not proficient enough to get through all the hiccups that might show up. And doing a fresh install doesn’t sound appealing either, since I already have my engineering software installed, compiled and working properly. I don’t really want to go through that headache again! Is there any real danger in sticking with v13.2?
IMO the best way is to download the full ISO burn to DVD or USB and select upgrade. If it goes pear-shape you can always do a fresh install. An upgrade does not remove software but depending on what software it too may require an upgrade too. If the programs came from openSUSE repos then that is no problem at all even if you need to do a fresh install. Note with a fresh install you need to tell the installer NOT to format your home partition and just mount it as /home this keeps your personal data and settings. Though desktop versions have changed and you will have to redo the desktop maybe depending on which one you use. You can do an in place upgrade via the web but iMO it is just a little more risky
If you run into something you don’t understand ask here someone will help.
Note also that 42.2 has about 6 months of life left 42.3 is about to come out. The plan is 18 month life for a version and 42.3 releases any time now. The version after will be 15.1 to sync with the commercial version numbering.
If you need longer support consider SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop. It is not free but does provide 3 year support cycles. Commercial version move slower then the free versions which act as a testbed.
Is there any real danger in sticking with v13.2?