I'm confused about how to manage software installation in my RH9. I like synaptic, so I installed apt-get, but some packages were not available via synaptic, so I found them and installed them via rpm. But I read that the rpm database only maintains information about what is installed via rpm, so there could be false missing dependancy messages if the missing package was installed by something else.

On the other hand, I think synaptic (via apt) does install rpms, so does that mean that the rpm dependancy database will be OK?

If not, will doing a rebuild of the database via rpm (--rebuilddb) sort things out?

On top of this, what happens if I install something (like fluxbox) via a compile? Does that mean it never appears in the rpm database?

"On the other hand, I think synaptic (via apt) does install rpms, so does that mean that the rpm dependancy database will be OK?"

Yes. Synaptic uses the rpm command as a service routine.

"On top of this, what happens if I install something (like fluxbox) via a compile? Does that mean it never appears in the rpm database?"

Yes. I solve this problem by using checkinstall to convert tarballs to rpms and then install the rpms. The procedure is similar to the usual compile procedure:

./configure
make
checkinstall

Then install the rpm.

http://asic-linux.com.mx/~izto/checkinstall/

___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites