Update to my previous post

[spooforbrains.livejournal.com]

So, I agree to let the tech sort the problem out and call me back. He doesn't. The machine is rebooted. Nothing comes up. Once I've sorted out Apache and Tomcat (which were fine, thank crap) I turn my attention to exim.

It won't start. The init script does, literally, nothing.

update-exim4.conf returns dependency errors.

It appears that he has attempted to reinstall exim, and it has failed. It further appears that package management on the machine is completely screwed, and it is now running, variously, parts of sarge and parts of etch ... and keeps trying to install parts of Lenny.

It also appears that he has left it in this state and pissed off home for the day.

Having just got off the phone with the absolute senior highest technical if-it-gets-to-me-someone's-getting-a-damned-good-shouting-at-on-Monday manager it appears that Mr Cluess Tech will be being introduced to Big Foam Cluebat on Monday. Hopefully the clueful tech he's getting to sort this out can actually unravel this mess.

ETA: Yup, the machine is right in the middle of dependency hell - and they can't fix it without taking it down. Which they can't do. So they're building a new box to migrate it all over to instead.

I feel great trepidation about this, but ... we'll see what happens. At least they're the poor fuckers working through the night to fix this and not me. For once.

Comments

[ravan.livejournal.com]

It further appears that package management on the machine is completely screwed, and it is now running, variously, parts of sarge and parts of etch ... and keeps trying to install parts of Lenny.

*shudder* Nooooooooo.....

Upgrading versions on Debian is not a simple thing. There is a process to follow, or you will be screwed. Having multiple versions in your sources.list is stupid for a production machine.

That tech needs a Boot To The Head&trtade;

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

*wince*

Man, you have to be really smart, and utterly f**king clueless, to screw something up that badly...

I dunno about a clue-bat, I wouldn't be surprised if a certain tech gets a pink slip on Monday.

[spooforbrains.livejournal.com]

I need a job - I'm seriously considering applying for his.

Incidentally, this very company turned me down a month or so ago for a contract position based on where I live, in favour of a more local candidate.

[siliconshaman.livejournal.com]

I say go for it!
Hell, make it a selling point even! because no way could you be as bad as that guy!

[thudthwacker.livejournal.com]

It further appears that package management on the machine is completely screwed, and it is now running, variously, parts of sarge and parts of etch ... and keeps trying to install parts of Lenny.

Oh. My. Gods.

So they're building a new box to migrate it all over to instead.

You know, there's part of me that's sure there's a tedious way to force enough upgrades through APT to get things consistent, but I think building a new box would be faster and produce fewer grey hairs. Gadzooks, though.

I love APT -- it's a powerful, beautiful, graceful thing. Much like a tiger, really. And, as with a tiger, you do not pull its tail, yank on its whiskers, or kick it in the yarbles unless you want to be turned into a selection of deli meats.

[spooforbrains.livejournal.com]

Haha, Yarbles.

And as it happens I'm eating a selection of deli meats at this very moment. I'm imagining that they're made from a certain tech ...