hmmm how come apropos doesn't work on me?

pablowablo · 08-07-2004, 09:35 PM

I think I'm using it correctly but this is what happens

Code:

root@habolinux:/# apropos find
find: nothing appropriate.
root@habolinux:/# apropos apt-get
apt-get: nothing appropriate.
root@habolinux:/# apropos man
man: nothing appropriate.
root@habolinux:/#

btmiller · 08-07-2004, 10:10 PM

Have you run makewhatis?

foo_bar_foo · 08-07-2004, 10:23 PM

that's a part of the Man package and i think uses the whatis database
try the command as root
makewhatis

if your manpath is set right that will get you going

pablowablo · 08-07-2004, 10:25 PM

hmmm nope... Do I have to run that before apropos works? Hmmm I tried it after seeing your post and this is what happened.

Code:

<pablo@~>$ man makewhatis
No manual entry for makewhatis
<pablo@~>$ makewhatis
bash: makewhatis: command not found
<pablo@~>$

missing_link · 05-28-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablowablo

hmmm nope... Do I have to run that before apropos works? Hmmm I tried it after seeing your post and this is what happened.

Code:

<pablo@~>$ man makewhatis
No manual entry for makewhatis
<pablo@~>$ makewhatis
bash: makewhatis: command not found
<pablo@~>$

From your output it looks like that you are trying to run makewhatis as an unpriviliged user. Only root can execute this command. Switch to superuser and then see.