Re: Noob question - best way to install software
On Sat, Apr 14, 2007 at 09:22:56PM +0000, georgepwhite@comcast.net
wrote:
> I've been using Debian for about a month, and just upgraded to Etch.
> I'm very happy with it so far - my compliments to the people who
> create this great piece of work.
>
> I am wondering about the best way to install software. I have used
> the "apt-get" method, which is pretty simple, and have also downloaded
> and compiled from source "tarballs" which is a little more complicated
> but doesn't seem to be a big deal. Are there significant advantages
> and disadvantages to these methods, besides just convenience? I worry
> about dependencies, and maybe messing stuff up with "apt-get update."
Welcome George.
There's a bit of a religious nature over the choice between apt-get and
aptitude. Aptitude is supposed to do everything that apt-get will do
but in addition, it keeps track of packages that have only been
installed to meet dependencies of packages that you specifically wanted
installed. Later, if you remove a package, aptitude will also remove
anything that was automatically installed that is no longer required by
anything.
Anything you install from source should go in either /usr/local or /opt
so that it doesn't interfere with the debian packaging system.
Since the release notes say that aptitude is the preferred method of
managing packages, that is what I would suggest too.
The first time you start aptitude interactivly, go down the list of
packages that are installed. Anything that you don't specifically want
installed (e.g. most of the libs), mark as auto so that aptitude will
handle them. After you have done this one, you won't have to repeat
this ever again unless you reinstall (which you should never _have_ to
do).
As far as tarballs of apps that don't have a deb: why not package up a
deb and install that with aptitude as well? I haven't done this but
lots of people on this list have and can help.
Since you're new to debian, I suggest you read (available as packages):
debian-reference
debian-policy (slected sections) and FHS
securing debian (harden-doc)
aptitude user's guide
Also, make sure that you can use one of the editors in /bin or /sbin,
for your friend Justin Case. If you like vi, there's vim-tiny,
otherwise, use nano-tiny.
Enjoy.
Doug.
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