Philipp Thomas wrote:
js
[Sun, 05 Oct 2003 20:02:27 +0200]: As often as this particular thread is repeated, I have yet to see someone give a 5 step approach as to how you can write a spec file and build an rpm in under 10 minutes, which is what I think you are looking for.
Sorry, but that's impossible if you want to do it right. Even I need at least between half an hour and an hour to get a spec file right.
Right. Now take the average user and you can at least triple that. If he's a recent convert from windows, far longer if at all.
But given how long it takes most distros to implement the latest version of anything, that probably won't happen anytime soon.
Oh, normally we do with every new distro, if there aren't reasons not to upgrade.
Some packages, yes. I remember getting my new copy of suse 8.0. I installed thinking I would have new samba features, but the versions shipped was several months old and many release points behind. I had to go to samba.org just hours after installing a suse I had pre-ordered. This is not a complaint mind you. I know you want to test critical packages and ensure you ship stable versions, but it only explains why someone might want to move a little quicker and compile a new one themselves.
Unfortunately, many linux people take the time to learn something then assume that everyone else has that much time on their hands. After it becomes easy to them, they expect everyone else to find it as easy as they do.
No, I don't expect that. But you don't learn to drive a car in one day either. Somehow people always think that complex tasks should be made easy ....
Uh...isn't this what computers are for??? I shutter to think I spent 1500 bucks to make things more complicated.
Building rpms is a skill you have to learn, but which will pay off handsomely.
Philipp
You are no doubt correct on this point. I will not dispute it. I only point out that there are always exceptions, and you have to admit you make it sound far easier than it really is. When I explain something to people I always ask myself if I would have understood it 1 month after installing my first distro. If not, and I don't know for a fact I'm dealing with an advanced user, I try to make those complex tasks as simple as possible while suggesting that he/she look into the tougher method whenever possible (if waranted). I absolutely never discourage using the easy way because "No pain, no gain" is a great motto in the gym, but it sucks when you're trying to get your work done. John S.