I like the ports system in freeBSD (no dep hell, source or binary options), but I dont like the fact that the newest software is not avaliable.

I hear that Gentoo's portage is inspired by the bsd ports system, and that it is known for its up-to-date packages. But I dont have the time (or feel like spending a lot of time) installing it.


So here's my question: Can you recommend a distro that will give me a working gentoo install, minus all the compileing/configuring hassal?

From my personal experience, ports usually has the latest packages (depending on how you configure cvsup).

Portage is indeed inspired by ports and has some really cool features. The thing I dislike most about portage is that when I want to update to newer packages, I have to mess around with "USE" flags, packages being blocked and some needing to be unmasked. With ports you don't have any of these headaches. Anyway, a stage 3 Gentoo installaton won't take long since only a few packages need to be compiled from source. You can also use binary packages, just like in FreeBSD. As for Gentoo based distros, take a look at Vidalinux and Koroora.

Looking into VLOS, it looks promising. I had allready tried Kororaa and the install would not start- I took this as a sign that running it on a laptop like mine would just mean further problems. (sorry, i have developed a "it should just work" attitude lately).

I have done some more research and along with what you said it looks like maintaining a gentoo system takes a lot of work. (lots of complaints about broken systems on updates).

hummm, I guess I havent really tested that much...

What I am going on Is the fact that I could not find Amarok 4.0 in ports, and the fact that programs in ports have to be ported by the freebsd team (takes time).

what can you tell me about better configuration of cvsup?


I think I'm going to try to stick with freeBSD.

I guess you meant amaork 1.4. Yes amarok 1.4 is not in ports and I suspect that there are some problems that are causing the delay. I think there was some problem with gstreamer and the collection database being wiped out in amarok 1.4. Usually there is a reason why some packages are delayed from getting into ports.

yeah, amarok 1.4

I tried again to install both kororaa and VLOS. Kororaa wont start the installation, and VLOS will install but wont start.
So, I dont think that it is a coinsidence that they are both gentoo based.

I am currently switching between Kubuntu and PC-BSD, both seem really good.

by the way- I like your new KDE screenshot, looks really nice.