aptitude should ask user whether internet should be used instead of CD as a repository

[Fred]

I wanted to install 'patch', so I use apt-get, and it start ask me to insert the Ubuntu CD to the computer.
I don't want to install the Ubuntu CD to install a 95.6kB package.
Because I don't like to open the drawer, search for the CD, find it, open it, insert it, etc.
I just want to install package quickly.

I hate this "media change" thing that says I have to insert CD. grrr

-- TEXT FROM TERMINAL --
The program 'patch' is currently not installed. You can install it by typing:
sudo apt-get install patch
bash: patch: command not found

$ sudo apt-get install patch
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Suggested packages:
  diff-doc
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  patch
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 0B/95.6kB of archives.
After unpacking 193kB of additional disk space will be used.
Media change: please insert the disc labeled
 'Ubuntu 7.10 _Gutsy Gibbon_ - Release i386 (20071016)'
in the drive '/cdrom/' and press enter

[greenvirag (gwirag)]

I have the same problem.
Any solution?

[Koen (koen-beek)]

When you are in System->Administration->Software Sources->Ubuntu
is the CDRom enabled as a software source ?

    Koen

[Fred (eldmannen+launchpad)]

Yes, CD-ROM is enabled as Software Source.

But if I press enter, if CD is not in drive, instead of ask again and again, it could be like "Okay, you don't have CD" and then check on the Internet instead.

[greenvirag (gwirag)]

It was good idea. My solution is at Software Source, but DISABLED CD. Then apt-get install patch, and it will be downloaded from the internet.

[Koen (koen-beek)]

To avoid this problem you indeed need to dsbale the CD as a software source.

However it may be more user friendly to allow the user to decide when he is asked for a CD whether he'd prefer the innternet at that moment for once or for all

I'll leave the bug open as a feature request for the aptitude guys

    Koen

[Fred (eldmannen+launchpad)]

It is very good that you can install from CD for people who don't have Internet, have slow Internet or expensive Internet.

But it very good to be able to install from Internet too, for people who have lost CD, stolen CD, scratched CD, broken CD-ROM drive, borrowed out CD, etc.

I think it would be good if it asked, because now when you have said, I don't have to use CD, if I disable CD as repository, I know how to do this, but many people who are new to Ubuntu don't know this.

[Prateek Karandikar (prateek.karandikar)]

"Wishlist" isn't fair I think. Ubuntu is supposed to "just work", out of the box. New users may not know about removing the CD from /etc/apt/sources.list (or doing the same from Adept/Synaptic). If the user has an internet connection, it *should* offer a choice, instead of stubbornly demanding a CD and annoying the user. Specially for laptop users, both the availability of an internet connection and the availability of the CD may vary with time. Both options should be easily accessible, without requiring an update (the GUI apps do an update when they change sources.list).