Howdi,

I did a lot try'n'error to get familiar with Linux (and we are big friends now).
That means, I have installed a lot of unnecessary RPMs, did (partly malfunctionally) third party scripts and compiled some tools, not knowing what I do and even not needing that tools ;-)

I know, that RPM keeps installed files in a database, but I strongly believe, that not all RPM-packages update this database.
And programs, that I have compiled, install themselves via make install. Is there any way to make uninstall, if I deleted, what I built?

What I mean, how does someone, who knows Linux better than me, keep track of files he installs, and, perhaps, how does this guy decide what files are necessary and what files can be removed. Even when those files are installed by someone else.

Thanks a lot and thanks in advance,
Clemens von Musil

Usually Installs are pretty clean and keep things in their directories in /usr. Check it out especially /usr/share.

As for removing rpms I'm sure you already know rpm -e.

For me, keeping track isn't difficult cuz I use apt-get remove --purge. I don't install much that I have to build and then I make sure it goes into /usr/local So I can easily track things down.

for things you comiled yourself :

go to the src dir and type in make uninstall

this will remove any installed files, and you can delete the src folder with confidence.

Is a apt a Debian only command?

It was once, but now you can get it for most any distro. Just check the apt pages for your supported distro/kernel.

I found following page for apt and Redhat:

http://apt.42h.de/

I didn't have the time to go into the thing, but it seems to provides apt as RPMs for Redhat >= 7.2
The site is written in german, but there is not much text to read, and I saw a link to english content.

Greetz,
Clemens von Musil

For apt for Redhat check:
www.freshrpms.net



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