I guess all this discussion (and perceived merits) of using plain tarballs
versus a package manager is because of the basic lack of knowledge on
package managers in general.
Lesson 1: The source is still there.
There is such a thing as SOURCE RPMs. These files contain:
1. The original tarball, as released by the author
2. A SPEC file, which contains:
0. The packager, and his contact info
1. Build commands
2. Source patches to make the tarball build in a target environent
3. Shell commands to initiate building and installing into a system.
4. Documentation on the changes done to accomodate fixes etc.
In short, everything you will do in the command line anyway, except that with
SPEC files, your ingenius shell commands that pipe ls to sed to tr to bc won't
get lost in command line history heaven.
With this information, what cannot be accomplished with SPECs/SRPMs that can be
accomplished with tar balls.
Add this the fact that:
1. One's 'tweaks' or mods to the original source are kept bundled with the
original tarball, so that others may also benefit by them.
2. One's build commands are included in the SPEC file so that others will have
an idea on how you actually went about building, installing, and maintaining
the package.
3. One can actually be contacted if by chance others came around to d/l ing
your package and made improvements to it, true to the open source paradigm.
4. One can actually do all the tweaks and build sessions once in the spec file,
and automate the build-install-run procedure for other boxes, no sweat!
It's all about sharing one's knowledge, kicking up a notch the maintainability
of the software and the system it's installed in.
My mind is not closed on tarballs because i know and have used both ways,
and i can most definitely say that: tarballs will work, but I look at the
bigger picture, where tarballs are simply an inefficient way of distributing
and installing software source code.
On Wed, 17 Jan 2001, you wrote:
> if your honors pls, allow me to say something about this topic :-> using package
> manager has its own advantages and disadvantages and the same true without using
> the package manager. the former advantages is the disadvantages of the latter and
> its disadvantages of one is the advantages of the other. for example, installing
> using rpm is pretty much faster than the source code but tweaking some code for
> tuning purposes is pretty much easier for the source code than the rpm and many
> more. every person as its own way to deal to his or her own problem whether he or
> she wants to use the source code or the rpm. in short, it just a matter of choice
> where he or she is most convenient and comfortable with.
>
> contempt by dirty tactics,
>
> fooler. :->
>
> neuroticimbecile wrote:
>
> > hi edwin,
> >
> > c'mon we've (the plug list) has already been in this "package manager vs. no
> > package manager" war last 1999. let's move on to more productive topics, okey?
> >
> > -eric
> >
> > On Tue, 16 Jan 2001, you wrote:
> > > Look who's closed minded....
> > > Use what works!
> > > Look, go get EZ Publish.
> > > I use this thing extensively.
> > > Now show me how to do this in RPM.
> > > Try running PHP 4 and PHP 3 concurrently.
> > > Show me your RPMs.
> > >
> > > This is the point:
> > > Use the tools that work.
> > > Use the tools you need.
> > > Use RPM if it is convenient.
> > > Use the source when you need to.
> > > Is that what being closed minded about?
> > > (groan)
> > > Ha ha !
> >
> > --
> > .--. Enrique D. Rosel II office://+63.2.894.3592/
> > ( () ) Q Linux Solutions, Inc.
> > `--\\ A Philippine Open Source Solutions Co. http://www.q-linux.com/
> >
> > _
> > Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph
> > To leave: send "unsubscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> _
> Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph
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