repository ?'s - software.opensuse vs packages.opensuse

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

OneClick
What’s the difference between:

From this page “http://opensuse-community.org/Repositories#Web_Package_Search” it looks like the packages.opensuse is preferred over software.opensuse for OneClick.

Refining Search
When I do a OneClick search (at either locations), I get so many results (i.e, 17 pages) it is difficult to find what I need. Is there another way to search the repositories for OneClick, where the user can refine the search in some way (i.e., regular expressions or contains, or begins with, eliminate home: dirs, etc)?

Repositories names and purpose
Is there a description of the repositories someplace (I haven’t found one)?.

If I installed Gimp from standard and want to stay current, do I have to subscribe to GNOME:Apps since it is a GNOME app? The same package/application can appear in multiple repositories, and I don’t understand the repository relationships. Gimp example:

  • gimp openSUSE:11.2/standard
    x86_64 gimp-2.6.7-4.4.x86_64.rpm

  • gimp GNOME:Apps/openSUSE_11.2
    x86_64 gimp-2.6.8-2.1.x86_64.rpm

Here’s an example with KDE4:

  • kdebase4 openSUSE:11.2/standard
    x86_64 kdebase4-4.3.1-5.6.3.x86_64.rpm

  • kdebase4 KDE:43/openSUSE_11.2
    x86_64 kdebase4-4.3.4-1.3.x86_64.rpm

  • kdebase4 KDE:KDE4:STABLE: Desktop/openSUSE_11.
    x86_64 kdebase4-4.3.4-2.1.x86_64.rpm
    (space after colon is to prevent smiley)

An example with kvm. Do I use the standard or Virtualization repository? I don’t have the understanding of the repositories to make an informed decision.

  • kvm openSUSE:11.2/standard

  • kvm Virtualization/openSUSE_11.2

It isn’t just one package, every time I use OneClick I scratch my head and try to figure out which repository I should use, and then whether to stay subscribed to it or not. I suspect a user should pick one and stick with it or end up with conflicts.

But how does the OpenSuSE team use all these repositories, and is it documented some place?

Thank you.

Environment:
OpenSuSE 11.2 64-bit (Intel® Core™ i7, Intel® Desktop Board DP55WB - P55 Express Chipset)
Default distribution repositories, as installed. Plus Community Repository - Packman
KDE4

#2

IMO I agree it is very confusing. And to make things worse the oneclick methods tend to add an endless supply of new repositories which are active and updating. Just looking through the problems being reported 50% or more of the problems that are happening after the install are at least somewhat due to having a dozen or more active repositories. I have taken the the habit of disabling all of the nonofficial repo’s after I get a package from it. For the most part I avoid getting things from nonofficial repositories even if newer then the same package in the official. I’m not in the position that I want to be testing things. If I have a problem with a package after an update I’ll activate it’s repo and see if there is a newer version truning it off afterwards.

I think the oneclick is not implemented correctly. It should add the repo but it should be deactivated afterwards. There are several examples here of people update via update the kernel and getting the pae kernel installed. Some repo out there is doing it, I’m not sure which one.

#3

I aree with gogalthorp here.I think using the one click method should be avoided. In particular with something like kdebase4 (affects to much software)and kvm (kernel based visualization).I would do these manually.Actually If gimp required packages from non standard repos I would also do that manualy.

#4

When you browse through the forums you will find that not many people encourage to use the one-click install. When doing one, there is the opportunity to let the repo be removed after the install. Use it or remove/disable it yourself after the install.

You will also find advice here to have (at least as long as you do not know exactly what all the repos are for and how you cam hose your system with them) only four (4) repos: OSS, NON-OSS, Update and Packman.

Novell’s policy with openSUSE is that it prepares a combination of software that makes up the release (say 11.2). Only security updates and reccomended (because of severe bugs) updates are provided in the Update repo. When you want to be stable, leave it at that. Want a package that is not in those repos? Search for it (webpin) and install it. Switch the repo off after install. You have the package you wanted, no need to mix up all that is on that repo with the standard repos with may have the wrong priority and thus creating a mess.

When you want to go for a more dangerous live, you could go for e.g. KDE:Stable or even KDE:Factory (same for other products), but then you should know how to switch to that repo, not mixing things up with the standard ones.

Back to your Gimp. Why do you want to stay ‘up to date’? When there is new functionality you dearly want/need, I can see why. But else, stick to stable. You should spend your time on using Gimp, not on installing software.

Hope this hepls a little bit.

#5

HI Henk,
I am not sure I know which method you recommend here! It would be great to get clarification. Thanks.

#6

Strange, I got a mail that dvhenry posted:

HI Henk,
I am not sure I know which method you recommend here! It would be great to get clarification.

But I do not see the post!

Should it bethere or not??? :stuck_out_tongue:

#7

Actualy henk I wrote that post but then deleted it because on rereading your post I think I realize what was meant.

#8

OK, technical clash ten. :slight_smile: