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January 31, 2001
RPMs
RPM's -- no, not rotations per minute (although they really should be called that, since they make you go in circles.) -- I'm talking about the RedHat Package Manager. What a royal pain in the butt...
I've been experimenting with Linux for a while, and for the most part I find it decent. However, there are certain applications that lack the ease of use of some Windows (ugh) counterparts. So, until I find such replacements, I decided to try setting WINE up. (For those that don't know, WINE is a windows emulator for Linux).
So, I download the RPM from RPMfind.net. Then, I procede to install it. Little snafu: ICTL.rpm is required and not on my system. "No problem", I thought as I downloaded that as well. Attempting to use RPM to install it, I get something like "This version of RPM can only be used on versions <= 3".
Wow, RPM 3.0.4 Rocks!
And now I admit I should know better, that RPM 3.0.4 would not work to install a later version of RPM (I think 4.0.2 or something). It still annoyed me. How is anybody supposed to upgrade something that can't be installed by previous versions?
Yeah, I know, download the source code. Compile it. Presto, you now have an updated version. My point of contention is that you shouldn't have to. Some people don't know how to, others don't care to.
I guess after 4 hours of useless effort, I've come to the only obvious conclusion: Linux has a long way to go before "Joe Schmoe, computer novice" even considers using it. Grr.
Posted by bard at January 31, 2001 09:56 PM
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