Re: Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-20 Thread Polytropon
On Fri, 20 May 2011 10:26:11 -0400, Xn Nooby  wrote:
> > Also try to go with portsnap for ports IMHO it's the path of least
> > resistance ;-)
> 
> I will try portsnap, and read about the pkgdb database.  If all these
> tools ultimately resolve to pkgdb, I will try to learn about that.

I think pkgdb (often used as "pkgdb -aF") belongs to
portinstall / portupgrade, and it keeps things in sync
when you use different installing methods side by side
(which is possible), e. g.

# pkg_add -r bla
# portinstall foo/urgz
# cd /usr/ports/baz/bar
# make install

In this case, running "pkgdb -aF" before and after each
installation (or upgrading or removing) step makes sure
nothing gets "installed twice".

If you use portmaster for maintaining your ports, you
should be safe.

Using portsnap to obtain a current ports tree is a common
way. If you need it "more current", use csup. Here is an
explaination text I did already post to the list:

Step 1: Add this to /etc/make.conf:

SUP_UPDATE= yes
SUP=/usr/bin/csup
SUPFLAGS=   -g -L 2
SUPHOST=cvsup.freebsd.org
PORTSSUPFILE=   /etc/sup/ports.sup

Step 2: Create /etc/sup/ports.sup:

*default host=cvsup.freebsd.org
*default base=/var/db
*default prefix=/usr
*default release=cvs tag=.
*default delete use-rel-suffix
*default compress
ports-all

Note: You can use a different cvsup host and can also exclude
port categories from being updated (e. g. for languages you
do not use, or kinds of programs you are not interested in).
See /usr/share/examples/cvsup/ports-supfile for more details,
it's very well documented (here: in comments).

Step 3: Perform the update

# cd /usr/ports
# make update

Now you have a _current_ ports tree.

Note: A similar method works for the system sources. Add

SUPFILE=/etc/sup/stable.sup

to /etc/make.conf and create /etc/sup/stable.sup like this:

*default host=cvsup.freebsd.org
*default base=/var/db
*default prefix=/usr
*default release=cvs tag=RELENG_8
*default delete use-rel-suffix
*default compress
src-all

This will give you 8-STABLE. Use "tag=RELENG_8.0" for 8.0-pX
(security branch, just as freebsd-update would do), and if you
need RELEASE, use "tag=RELENG_8.0.0".

Then,

# cd /usr/src
# make update
# make buildworld buildkernel

See /usr/src/Makefile (comment section) for which make targets
are defined and in which order you must proceed for a system
upgrade based on sources.

More info here:
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/handbook/cvs-tags.html



> I have tried PC-BSD, and look forward to version 9.0.  I really don't
> like KDE, though. 

I've _tried_ to like it, but that wasn't a big success. :-)



> I hear some rumblings about a Gnome developer
> wanting to drop BSD support, so maybe I better start liking KDE.

It is currently discussed to turn Gnome into a kind of
Linux distribution, if I understood this correctly. Of
course it implies that Gnome _itself_ will drop support
for Solaris and the BSDs, and maybe all other operating
systems that do not run the Linux kernel (e. g. Debian
running a FreeBSD or HURD kernel, maybe even mobile
devices?).

But on the other hand, this is free software, so anyone
who wants to port Gnome to non-Linux is free to do so.



> PC-BSD seems to have done a great job reproducing the way Mac's
> install software, by using self-contained bundles (PBI's).

In my opinion, this is not optimal. Software should be
managed by the system, not by downloading things using
a web browser... but at least there are command line tools
to deal with PBI, so all the annoying interaction during
an installation process can be omitted. But on the other
hand, this is what people seem to be used to, so why not
distribute software this strange way? :-)



> And next
> version of PBI is supposed to not need a GUI.

I thought it would already be existing???



> I'm sure I will be
> trying the next version PC-BSD. Hopefully to be released soon.

If you want a preconfigured system and don't mind the
sloppy support for the german language, PC-BSD is a very
good piece of software. Still I have to express Mr. Horse's
primary opinion about it. :-)



-- 
Polytropon
Magdeburg, Germany
Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0
Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...
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Re: Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-20 Thread Chris Brennan
On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM, Xn Nooby  wrote:

> I have tried PC-BSD, and look forward to version 9.0.  I really don't
> like KDE, though.  I hear some rumblings about a Gnome developer
> wanting to drop BSD support, so maybe I better start liking KDE.
> PC-BSD seems to have done a great job reproducing the way Mac's
> install software, by using self-contained bundles (PBI's). And next
> version of PBI is supposed to not need a GUI. I'm sure I will be
> trying the next version PC-BSD. Hopefully to be released soon.
>

That Red-Hat developer has been preaching to the choir for a long time from
my understanding. I think he wants to turn Gnome Desktop Environment into a
Desktop of it's own, making the Linux underbelly disappear much like
Microsoft made DOS disappear from their lineup, making Windows the primary
focus. if Gnome goes the way of Windows  there is a plethora of other
choices to choose for a WM ... openbox/blackbox/fluxbox, XFCE, yes KDE is an
option, it takes some getting used to but it can still be used.

As a side note, I wonder what kind of impact that kind of decision making
will have on the Android platform ... my phone says it's running X/Gnome for
the UI.

-- 
> A: Yes.
> >Q: Are you sure?
> >>A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.

> >>>Q: Why is top posting frowned upon?
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Re: Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-20 Thread Chris Brennan
On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 10:27 AM, Xn Nooby  wrote:

I think the extract is only done during the install, and then after
> that it would be "portsnap fetch update" ?  Or is it better to do an
> extract each time?
>

I've always been told to do portsnap fetch extract, but I went a step
farther with my alises, I have a pfu as well, that does portsnap fetch
update

-- 
> A: Yes.
> >Q: Are you sure?
> >>A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
> >>>Q: Why is top posting frowned upon?
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Re: Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-20 Thread Alejandro Imass
On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 10:26 AM, Xn Nooby  wrote:
>> Also try to go with portsnap for ports IMHO it's the path of least
>> resistance ;-)
>
> I will try portsnap, and read about the pkgdb database.  If all these
> tools ultimately resolve to pkgdb, I will try to learn about that.
>
> I have tried PC-BSD, and look forward to version 9.0.  I really don't
> like KDE, though.  I hear some rumblings about a Gnome developer

Jajajaja. THAT IS EXACTLY why I don't use PC-BSD !

> wanting to drop BSD support, so maybe I better start liking KDE.
> PC-BSD seems to have done a great job reproducing the way Mac's
> install software, by using self-contained bundles (PBI's). And next
> version of PBI is supposed to not need a GUI. I'm sure I will be
> trying the next version PC-BSD. Hopefully to be released soon.
>
> thanks!
>
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Re: Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-20 Thread Xn Nooby
> Also try to go with portsnap for ports IMHO it's the path of least
> resistance ;-)

I will try portsnap, and read about the pkgdb database.  If all these
tools ultimately resolve to pkgdb, I will try to learn about that.

I have tried PC-BSD, and look forward to version 9.0.  I really don't
like KDE, though.  I hear some rumblings about a Gnome developer
wanting to drop BSD support, so maybe I better start liking KDE.
PC-BSD seems to have done a great job reproducing the way Mac's
install software, by using self-contained bundles (PBI's). And next
version of PBI is supposed to not need a GUI. I'm sure I will be
trying the next version PC-BSD. Hopefully to be released soon.

thanks!
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Re: Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-19 Thread Alejandro Imass
On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 10:06 PM, Alejandro Imass  wrote:
> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 9:23 PM, Xn Nooby  wrote:
>> It is hard for me to tell what tools I should be using to work with
[..]

> and vice-versa. cvsup and all that is mostly used nowadays by mere
> mortals for building the world and upgrading.
>


Also try to go with portsnap for ports IMHO it's the path of least
resistance ;-)
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Re: Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-19 Thread Alejandro Imass
On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 9:23 PM, Xn Nooby  wrote:
> It is hard for me to tell what tools I should be using to work with
> ports and packages.  I was trying to set up a 64bit 8.2 machine as a
> desktop environment, with Firefox 4 and Flash installed.  It looked
> like I was going to need to track the 8.x stable branch in order to
> get a Firefox package, and I was having some problems pinning down
> which version of Flash I should use (they have a new version since 8l2


Great question. The is no best prctice as such and it mostly depends
on your use of FreeBSD. If it's a workstation you probably want to
install most things via binary packages instead of ports. FreeBSD is
so amazing that it does not matter which way you install them, the pkg
database will not care. You can add a package and the remove by port
and vice-versa. cvsup and all that is mostly used nowadays by mere
mortals for building the world and upgrading.

if you are going to use FreeBSD as a server you arel probably be
better off compiling everything to your exact needs. Precompiled
binary packages are built with standard default options: i.e. probably
either over-bloated with unnecessary features and security holes, or
other times lack the functionality you will require. I would
personally never compile Gnome, Open Office and these great big
packages for several reasons but primarily because it's a waste of
time, and the default compilation options are usually good for the
average use.

Also, please take a look at PC BSD which derives directly from FreeBSD
but it's targeted for the PC/Workstation/laptop world. It's somewhat
akin to Ubuntu and Debian. I think PC BSD is great for workstation use
whereas FreeBSD is great for servers. I use FreeBSD for both but use
binary packages for the big fat GUI applications and compile
everything else.

Best,

--
Alejandro Imass
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Over-whelmed by ports and package tools

2011-05-19 Thread Xn Nooby
It is hard for me to tell what tools I should be using to work with
ports and packages.  I was trying to set up a 64bit 8.2 machine as a
desktop environment, with Firefox 4 and Flash installed.  It looked
like I was going to need to track the 8.x stable branch in order to
get a Firefox package, and I was having some problems pinning down
which version of Flash I should use (they have a new version since 8l2
was released).  I decided to stop and just make sure I understood how
I was supposed to be working with ports and packages.

I've have been reading about cvsup, freebsd-update, portsnap,
portupgrade, and portmaster.  In general, I think I would like to use
packages when possible, since I expect to be doing some installs on
low-powered machines (my old laptops).  I don't want to build
everything from the ports tree (unless I have to).  I know that I can
set the environment variable PACKAGESITE in order to get packages from
8.x instead of 8.2, and the packages would at worst be a month old.  I
have also read portupgrade can be used to upgrade ports (obvious
enough).

What I have not really seen yet, is an explanation of when you might
want to use the different tools.  I have read some tools don't need
certain other things installed, but I don't know why that is
significant.  Perhaps some of the tools are only used in rare
situations, and I don't need to consider using them. I also don't know
how mutually exclusive they are.

I am working on a script to automatically load up all the software I
want on my desktop, below are some of the sub-routines that show what
I am trying to do. I think the script worked when 8.2 was new, but
things seemed to have changed and it no longer works so well. I want
to make it change-proof.

loadPorts() {
echo loadPorts...
freebsd-update fetch install
portsnap fetch extract
}

loadFF() {
echo loadFF...
pkg_add -r firefox
echo 'sem_load="YES"' >> /boot/loader.conf
}


loadApps() {
echo loadApps...
apps="bash unzip p7zip vlc xmms subversion mplayer openbox icewm
cmdwatch xfe miro filezilla"
for x in $apps
do
pkg_add -r $x
done
}

loadFonts() {
echo loadFonts...
cd /usr/ports/x11-fonts/webfonts
make install clean
pkg_add -r dejavu
cd
sed '
/Section "Module"/ a\
Load "freetype"\
Load "type1"
' /etc/X11/xorg.conf > /etc/X11/xorg.conf.sed
cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.sed /etc/X11/xorg.conf
sed '
/Section "Files"/ a\
FontPath "/usr/local/lib/X11/fonts/webfonts/"\
FontPath "/usr/local/lib/X11/fonts/dejavu/"
' /etc/X11/xorg.conf > /etc/X11/xorg.conf.sed
cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.sed /etc/X11/xorg.conf
fc-cache -f -v
}


loadFlash() {
echo loadFlash...
kldload linux
pkg_add -r linux_base-f10
echo 'linux_enable="YES"' >> /etc/rc.conf
echo 'linproc /usr/compat/linux/proc linprocfs rw 0 0' >> /etc/fstab
mount -a
pkg_add -r nspluginwrapper
cd /usr/ports/www/linux-f10-flashplugin10
mkdir -p /usr/ports/distfiles/flashplugin/10.1r53
scp me@192.168.200.2:install_flash_player_10_linux.tar.gz
/usr/ports/distfiles/flashplugin/10.1r53/
make install clean
cd
mkdir /usr/local/lib/browser_plugins
ln -s /usr/local/lib/npapi/linux-f10-flashplugin/libflashplayer.so
/usr/local/lib/browser_plugins/
# read -p "pausing"
rehash
}
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