MDV uses urpmi to load packages using rpm, but gets all the dependant packages as well, Whats the suse equivilant ?
The deafult for installing RPMs in SUSE 10.1 is Zen. So if you're on a webpage, and you click on an RPM, you'll get a popup asking if you want to use Zen to install. This works nicely. I've had no complaints about this. Zen/Rug went through some seriously wobbly bits on it's initial release with SUSE10.1. The worst of it has been fixed, so if you do an online update when you are doing the install, the broken things (as shipped on the DVD) are corrected and the app generally behaves quite well. If you're thinking overall package management, you can either use YAST, or Smart. Smart works nicely with the 3rd party repositories, and is the one most on the mailing list will recommend.
Penguin liberation front supplies some of the packages that cant be bundled with the MDV distro due to copyright etc reasons. Suse equivalent ???
SUSE has the same issue... the w32codecs, libmad etc. If you use Smart/Smart-gui (as repackaged here http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/ ) you'll have access to all the handy "missing" stuff that actually makes your Linux desktop useable. You can also use Smart (and Smart-gui) as provided on the SUSE DVD and add in your own selection of 3rd party repositories from here: http://en.opensuse.org/Additional_YaST_Package_Repositories The result is essentially the same - it's just easier to use Pascal's repack from the Guru site (thanks Pascal ;-) )
is YAST still as horrible and obstructive as it was last time I looked at Suse (6.3) ?
It's definitely evolved a lot since SUSE 6.3. Some of it looks similar, but the SUSE guys have worked hard at making it a pretty decent tool. I have no problems using it (been using it since 6.0 so I know what you mean by how annoying bits of it were way back when). I actually like/prefer using it to manage things like.. setting up my http server, enabling/disabling services, adding/removing users, and all the rest of the basic system management and configuration. To be honest - having used Mandriva, Gentoo, RedHat, Ubuntu etc etc etc... it's always a relief to come back to SUSE. Despite all the moaning we do here on the mailing list it is a very well developed and supported distribution. it's professionally assembled, and has what I consider to be the best selection of Linux apps (as part of the default install) of any distribution (KDE/Gnome, YAST toolset etc) C. -- Check the headers for your unsubscription address For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com