How to add packages after installation.

Hi

First of all, I am a newbie linux user, but experienced in Novell NW, Win NT/2000 with a strong knowledge in TCP/IP.

I installed RH Linux 7.2 on my PC without the bells and whisles.

Now I want to add those bells. For examples, I now want to add Gnome and KDE which I skipped during installation. How to add them now?

Appu

That won't help you install packages under Linux.


Install them from the CD. Find the name of the package you want to install, and install it with:

It may depend upon other packages - RPM will tell you if this is the case. You will then need to install those packages so that the first package you were trying to install works.

Thanks a lot.

I am a newbie linux user, but experienced in Novell NW, Win NT/2000 with a strong knowledge in TCP/IP.

I added this to highlight that I am not a baby in IT. In fact otherwise, people would advice on how to use 'everything'. (I did not post it to boast)

Thank you once more.

Note,

some programmes are supplied as .src.rpm files (source rpms). in this case, rpm -ivh won't work, because they don't contain binaries - rather they contain the application sources.

To install these, use rpm --rebuild packagename

this will run the configuration and compile the source into binary packages (a bit like when building from source).


christo

Hi Guys,

I tried to install the gome-core-someversion.rpm from the redhat 7.2 CD.

rpm -ivh gave an error message saying some dependency on other rpm packages. I tried to install the first rpm as in the dependency message.

That shows some other depency. Then again..

Seems, there is a chain of dependency. Anyway to overcome this? ot any other alternative method?


Appu

the only way to overcome is to read each dependency, then hunt down the required package and install it. You will sometimes find that installing one of the required packages will satisfy a handful of the listed dependencies in one shot - just depending on what libraries are included, so try to be intelligent when you decide what order to install them in . You could save your self lots of time hunting rpms

good places to start looking are:

rpmfind.net and
freshrpms.net

once you have exhausted those resources, if you are still unable to find a particular package, ftp'ing to the project's public ftp will usually bear fruit.


christo

You shouldn't need to hunt down any of the dependancies online yet. Everything you need to install Gnome and KDE are on the RH CDs (after all, it can install them just fine without search the net, can't it?)

Save yourself some hassle and do a 'man rpm'. rpm has lots of options that you can use to save you some time.

u could also download the source files and do a ./configure, make and make install. i find that better as it allows u to customise the application more for the machine u are on. rpm's are normally preconfigured

You could switch to Debian

cheers,

gary

I knew there would be someome


christo

My short flirtation with that PITA known as RPM dependency Hell ended with an introduction to APT and Debian. I would never go back.

I know the folks using RH and the other RPM based distros must really resent us smug-a__ed Debian users for our trouble free installs and upgrades

cheers,

gary

>>You could switch to Debian

Is it tess troublesome?

I do not mind the initial learning curve . I would be better if I know what I am doing, and if I know what is under the hood.

Debian has several advantages.

First, there is apt, the Debian package management system. All upgrades and security patches can be done with two commands, "apt-get update" which compares your apps to the latest version in your dist (stable/Woody, testing/Sarge, or unstable/Sid). Then run "apt-get upgrade" and you are automatically upgraded online. If configuration changes are needed (seldom) you will be prompted. For a major upgrade, run "apt-get dist-upgrade" What could be easier? Want to install a new program? Just do "apt-cache search" to get the name right, then "apt-get install <app>". Removal is just as easy.

Second, Debian tries, and is the best at complying with the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard. So you always know where your files belong.

Third is the system of multi-distributions, stable/testing/unstable (and you don't even want to know about experimental ) Stable is just that, rock solid and perfect for servers that should not break. The apps are not cutting edge. Security updates are timely and transparent. Testing is more "modern," with newer versions of most apps and is thus prone to break occassionally, but the fix comes quickly, and upgrades are daily. Unstable is for folks that like living on the edge, the bleeding edge. This breaks often, and users should be able to help fix things.

Fourth, is support. Join the Debian mail-list, and you will have support at least as good as the best call center. It is not unusual for the program maintainer or author to jump in and help fix your problem. And, the list is crawling with working SA's. Normal activity is about 200 posts per day.

Disadvantages? Well, we're outnumbered by the RHers. With your Novell background, the cli shouldn't frighten you (Debian install is not gui, it is curses).

Go for it. I think you'll be one of the laughing, smart-a--ed Debian users real quickly.

One more thing, go to the Debian site for the real low-down.

cheers,

gary