Re: Simplifying package installation.

[bob cs csoft net]

On Thu, 26 Aug 1999, Derek Simkowiak wrote:

> > How about this:
> > Write a gnome install program.
> > RPMS, DEBS, whatever is associated with it.
> > When a RPM (or whatever) is opened, the install program
> > first checks the package against the packaging system installed on the
> > system.
> > If it is not a native package, it uses alien to convert it.
> > It then prompts you do you want to install it for use only on this
> > account, or for use on all accounts. If you say local, it sets your rpm
> > database to the one in your home and installs the rpm there. If you say
> > system, it asks for the root password, and installs it via a call to rpm
> > through su.
> 
> 	This rocks.  Great idea!  If none of the recognized package
> systems is installed, the installer can default it to a .tar.gz and
> install it wherever the user wants (and has permission to).
> 
> 	Programmers can distribute their software in whatever package they
> prefer--RPMS, whatever.  Then the installer will just convert to the
> native package format of the enduser's system.  We could even add features
> to make Gnome installs as customizable as InstallShield installs--for
> example, having a full-screen background image come up, or playing back
> sounds or animations during the installation copy process.  Just have a
> file called "gnome-install-script" within the package's filelist.
> 
> 	I'm all for the above Gnome Install program.  The only issues left
> are the package-specific ones, i.e. user-level installs for RPM.

If we use modules for the different package managers it would fix most
problems, and we allready figured out the user level rpm problem. "rpm
--dbpath <dir> --root <dir>" I think.

The splash images and animations can be pulled out of the rpm with
rpm2cpio.

I think it would work out very well. Plus we dont have to force a package
management format on a system. It will use the native system. Good for
solaris and other unixes.

 > 
> 
> --Derek
>