Re: tlug: Re: rpms

[<adam@example.com>]

Jonathan Byrne <j-byrne@example.com> writes:
> My practice is generally not use RPMs, except those that come with
> the distro CD.  I prefer source tarballs, which all get installed
> in /usr/local/.

I like the advantages of tarballs (linking against your own libraries, that
warm fuzzy feeling you get when compiling things yourself), but I on
a pratical level the ability to find out what package a given file belongs
to, run MD5 checksums of all your packages (particularly handy after an
intruder manages to subvert your system), and do a clean uninstall.

Happily there's a nice little script which combines the two for you:

http://freshmeat.net/appindex/2000/05/22/959010433.html

I might add that this system works remarkably closely the the BSD ports
collection.  You hardcore tarball guys should probably take a look at that:
it's a source-only system built on makefiles that carries all the convenience
of RPMs, without ever trying to "shield" the user from any part of the compile
or install process.  Linux could definitely use something like this:

http://www.freebsd.org/handbook/ports.html

Adam


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