I user to always look for packages (Slackware *.tgz) for the software that I
wanted, but I found that they often didn't work as expected--since then I have
installed as much as possible from source (and had a lot fewer problems).
I think that is a good enough argument for the use of sources until somebody comes
up with a universal (truly compatible & open-source, not like RPM & *.deb--which
claim to be open source, but aren't compatible with other file-tree setups, and
refuse to be). So long as package systems only work for one type of system, they
are not of any great worth to the unix community in general, or worth much to the
evolution of better software in general.
(Not that RPM, Slackware *.tgz & Debian *.deb packages don't have their place in
the world..... they make the initial system install many magnitudes easier.)
P.S. In case you are all wondering, yes I would like to be part of a development
team for a truly universal (possibly sources-based) installer-maintainer....., but
I haven't accrued the need know-how to do it myself yet.
John Summerfield wrote:
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] said:
> > An rpm I always wonder what the hey the various scripts are doing,
> > where files wind up, etc.
>
> You can always start with the src.rpms, or install without running the scripts
> (and take the chance something essential isn't done automatically;-))
>
> You'd clearly not be happy with rpms (or debs) for any release; it's not
> entirely relevant a relevant matter to take intoa account for deciding WHEN to
> produce those packages.
> --
> Cheers
> John Summerfield
> http://www2.ami.com.au/ for OS/2 & linux information.
> Configuration, networking, combined IBM ftpsites index.
>
> Microsoft's most solid OS: http://www.geocities.com/rcwoolley/
>
> Note: mail delivered to me is deemed to be intended for me, for my disposition.
--
Drew Northup, N1XIM
