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In an update today, Synaptic Package Manager has been removed from the Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot default installation, but it's still available in the repositories so you can install it via Ubuntu Software Center.

This was an expected move but it's still a bit weird because there are quite a few features available in Synaptic which are still missing in Ubuntu Software Center, like upgrade/downgrade functionality, lock packages to the current version and so on. But of course, there are 4 months till Ubuntu 11.10 is released so Ubuntu Software Center might get some (or all) of these missing features.

A Synaptic - Ubuntu Software Center feature comparison can be found here.




Deja Dup backup tool

In the same update, Deja Dup backup tool was made default in Ubuntu 11.10. Deja Dup was proposed as default at UDS-O and it was accepted as long as the work to integrate it with the GNOME Control Center and Ubuntu One gets done in time and if there's enough space on the CD.


These changes should be available starting with tomorrow's Ubuntu 11.10 Oneiric Ocelot daily ISO.