Package Manager? Suse 10.2

It seems I have found something like "package manager", i.e so far it seems to work:

- logged in as system manager, Yast, main folder, create a new folder "RPMs"
- Yast, sources, add the new RPM folder to "sources", using entrance "packages"
- still or again logged in as system manager, feed random RPMs into the new folder
- start some automatic update process (and check "autocontrol")

Note: I also put in main folder, a copy of the DVD (iso permitted / at choice); added this one to "sources" and removed from sources: the CD-player. At updating/installs, nevermore "CD1" is demanded. Installing from any CD, I always first copy the CD to disk, in order not to get "CD" listed again in "sources".

I am really curious about similar eperiments/experiences by others.

There are many ways in which each user manages their rpms.

I use YaST Software package management only for maintenance of critical updates from Novell/SuSE.

I use Smart Software package manager for all of my 3rd party packaged rpms. I have it set to save a copy of all rpms it installs. I normally run smart from the command line (as opposed to using its gui).

As a backup to "smart" and "yast" I use apt/synaptic. I recently installed yum/yumex, but haven't tried it.

When I download rpms (or create my own via checkinstall) I save a copy under /home/oldcpu/rpms.