Once in a while I come across a package I'm interested in that is available both in .tgz and .rpm formats, but the .rpm format is configured for RedHat. In general, is it possible to use the RedHat RPMs under SuSE Linux with the right tweaking? Is there a way to do it that doesn't depend on the package contents? Or is it just not worth the trouble?

Not expecting a straight answer to this are you? :-) It depends. If the RPM contains files which overwrite existing files - particularly libraries, you could have a problem. If the RPM contains files which go into strange locations, you could have a problem (those strange locations might not be in a SuSE system's paths, for example.) If the RPM just goes into /opt or somewhere nice and neutral, you should be OK. Before installing any RHL RPM run the package through kpackage etc. and have a look at the files it contains and where it intends to put them. Them make a decision about how much you should be backing up before giving it a try. If in doubt, use alien to make the RPM a tgz, then unpack it somewhere neutral. You can then move the files into place by hand (although you loose the benefits of the RPM doing that). -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/support/faq

* Paul W. Abrahams :

Once in a while I come across a package I'm interested in that is available both in .tgz and .rpm formats, but the .rpm format is configured for RedHat. In general, is it possible to use the RedHat RPMs under SuSE Linux with the right tweaking? Is there a way to do it that doesn't depend on the package contents? Or is it just not worth the trouble?

I have installed several non-critical non-upgrade Redhat RPMs with no trouble. The only thing I noticed was that the documentation was installed in /usr/doc/<package> instead of /usr/doc/packages/<package>. If you use mc (or would like to try it), it makes it very convenient to view the contents of RPMs (and tarballs). You can navigate archives like directories. Maybe there is an issue with library incompatibilities, though I don't recall any trouble with this. If your libraries are fairly up to date then you should have little trouble. David -- Without a mind is god. -- e.e.cummings in a blender -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/support/faq