After having tried to create an XFCE4 based Mageia system and purge LXDE from my system, I would suggest that Mageia should use apt4rpm in future releases. PCLinuxOS uses apt4rpm and is based on Mandriva, so there souldn't be major technical difficulties with initiating sucha switch.
the last update was on 2009-07-16...
URL: (none) => http://sourceforge.net/projects/apt4rpm/Source RPM: (none) => apt4rpm
Why should we use apt4rpm? What are the advantages and what are the costs? What is wrong with urpmi in the first place? As Manuel already wrote, it's unmaintained since at least 2 years and won't even be usable because the RPM bindings are only available for an older version of RPM, not the one we use, IIRC. Yes, we should make easy deinstallation of task- packages possible, but apt4rpm is not the solution. This bug should be changed from package request to enhancement request, changing the summary to "simplify meta-package removal together with all dependencies" or something the like.
CC: (none) => doktor5000
(In reply to comment #2) > Why should we use apt4rpm? What are the advantages and what are the costs? > What is wrong with urpmi in the first place? > > As Manuel already wrote, it's unmaintained since at least 2 years and won't > even be usable because the RPM bindings are only available for an older version > of RPM, not the one we use, IIRC. > > Yes, we should make easy deinstallation of task- packages possible, but apt4rpm > is not the solution. This bug should be changed from package request to > enhancement request, changing the summary to "simplify meta-package removal > together with all dependencies" or something the like. Alternatives like what you suggest are reasonable, but will such a solution address the issue of removing configuration files as well? However the packaging system is implemented, it should also be flexible enough so that it is possible for users to get a system up and running quickly regardless of whether they want to install a system with an alternative desktop or a minimal system with a tiling window manager like scrotwm. Simplicity and transparency should be key goals. If this can be implemented with urpmi, then fine, but please try to think outside of the box and look at the alternatives that other .rpm based distros use as well. Don't just continue to use urpmi because it is what has been used in the past, but rather because it is the most useful alternative available.
If configuration files should be removed depends on the packages themselves, not on the solution to remove the packages. The part about "being flexible enough so that it is possible to get a system up and running quickly regardless what packages to install" i don't understand and this is completely unrelated. How are urpmi/rpmdrake/our installers constraining you currently to get a system up and running quickly? By just changing package managers this would also not be improved or changed at all. Also you still didn't tell where urpmi lacks. Altogehter, please, bugzilla is no good place for advocacy, if you want that discussed, please use the mageia-discuss or mageia-dev mailing lists to reach a wider audience.
(In reply to comment #4) > If configuration files should be removed depends on the packages themselves, > not on the solution to remove the packages. I was told urmpi was lacking a purge function, like apt has. > The part about "being flexible enough so that it is possible to get a system up > and running quickly regardless what packages to install" i don't understand and > this is completely unrelated. How are urpmi/rpmdrake/our installers > constraining you currently to get a system up and running quickly? By just > changing package managers this would also not be improved or changed at all. This relates to the meta packages. > Also you still didn't tell where urpmi lacks. A purge function that cleans out dependent libs and configuration files. > Altogehter, please, bugzilla is no good place for advocacy, if you want that > discussed, please use the mageia-discuss or mageia-dev mailing lists to reach a > wider audience. It has been suggested by a number of the gurus on the Mageia forums that users should contribute by requesting .rpm packages through bugzilla. I think you are overstating my motives. I experienced what I considered to be a problem, it was suggested that I post to bugzilla. That is also what I have done. Nothing more.
OK, changed the bugreport according to your proposal.
Priority: Normal => LowComponent: New RPM package request => RPM PackagesHardware: i586 => AllVersion: 1 => CauldronSummary: apt4rpm => urpmi should simplify removal of meta-packages and their dependencies, similar to purge option of aptSource RPM: apt4rpm => urpmiSeverity: normal => enhancement
CC: (none) => thierry.vignaud
This already exists for years. Just try eg "urpme --auto-orphans task-x11"
Status: NEW => RESOLVEDResolution: (none) => INVALID
Well, then maybe it would be nice if this was documented somewhere so people don't have to ask a developer for it? Quick search on mandriva/mageia wiki doesn't show up anything. Also man-page isn't really helpful there. /me didn't know this either.
(In reply to comment #5) > (In reply to comment #4) > A purge function that cleans out dependent libs and configuration files. "and configuration files." I'am not sure urpme do that. ;)