[SOLVED] Slackware64 and My Stupidity

gmjs · 11-16-2013, 02:42 PM

Hello,

I have tried three times to get into the Slackware Linux distribution, but each time there has been something that has put me off (I've struggled with wireless configuration and lack of my favourite Desktop Environment included in the past).

I really really want to use it. I even quite like compiling the odd software package. But my lack of understanding and my incompetence means I always get stuck.

The latest problem I have is Slackware64's multilib support. I'd like to run Slackware's 64-bit offering, but would also like to program for Android OS, requiring the use of their 32-bit binaries.

In order to do this, I need to download files specially prepared by a member of the Slackware team, and overwrite those provided on the Slackware64 DVD.

I haven't attempted this because the required files aren't available on the Slackware64 DVD, and (due to my own incompetence) I wouldn't be able to create the required files myself.

I know the same could be said for the entire distribution---it is provided because many people cannot create it themselves. But requiring downloads in addition to the official DVD doesn't feel right. It only seems to serve as a reminder that I'm not clever enough to do it myself.

Could anyone explain (to an idiot, admittedly) how I could build the required multilib packages myself or, instead, explain why they're not included on the Slackware64 DVD with instructions?

Many thanks.

Didier Spaier · 11-16-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmjs

Could anyone explain (to an idiot, admittedly) how I could build the required multilib packages myself or, instead, explain why they're not included on the Slackware64 DVD with instructions?

Just read this.

PS Don't even try to compete with me. Only I am really stupid

phenixia2003 · 11-17-2013, 05:29 AM

Hello,

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmjs

Hello,

I have tried three times to get into the Slackware Linux distribution, but each time there has been something that has put me off (I've struggled with wireless configuration and lack of my favourite Desktop Environment included in the past).

I really really want to use it. I even quite like compiling the odd software package. But my lack of understanding and my incompetence means I always get stuck.

The latest problem I have is Slackware64's multilib support. I'd like to run Slackware's 64-bit offering, but would also like to program for Android OS, requiring the use of their 32-bit binaries.

In order to do this, I need to download files specially prepared by a member of the Slackware team, and overwrite those provided on the Slackware64 DVD.

I haven't attempted this because the required files aren't available on the Slackware64 DVD, and (due to my own incompetence) I wouldn't be able to create the required files myself.

I know the same could be said for the entire distribution---it is provided because many people cannot create it themselves. But requiring downloads in addition to the official DVD doesn't feel right. It only seems to serve as a reminder that I'm not clever enough to do it myself.

Could anyone explain (to an idiot, admittedly) how I could build the required multilib packages myself or, instead, explain why they're not included on the Slackware64 DVD with instructions?

Many thanks.

You have different ways to turn your system into multilib.

1. The official one given by Didier in his post

For some this is the hardest, but it's not so if you read carefully the documentation.
2. the complemetary tools multilibpkg and compat32pkg
multilibpkg is an automated Tool dedicated to the management (install, upgrade, remove) of multilib version of gcc/glibc. compat32pkg is an automated tool dedicated to the management of 32-bit compatibility layers.

For instance, to install the multilib using these Tools, you will proceed as below :
Code:
```
$ multilibpkg --mirror @alienbase.nl-14.1 --install
[...]

$ compat32pkg --Mirror @Worldwide-14.1 --install layer-32
```
If you use slackpkg to keep your system up to date, you must add the line below into the file /etc/slackpkg/blacklist to prevent overwrite of the multilib version of packages gcc/glibc when running "slackpkg upgrade-all" :
Code:
```
[0-9]+alien
```
3. slackpkg+ which is a plugin for slackpkg
slackpkg+ is a plugin that adds 3rd party repositories support to slackpkg. Once you have installed this plugin, you have to proceed as below to install the multilib (as root) :
- a. In the file /etc/slackpkg/slackpkgplus.conf, uncomment the lines below :
  Code:
```
#PKGS_PRIORITY=( multilib:.* )

...
#MIRRORPLUS['multilib']=http://taper.alienbase.nl/mirrors/people/alien/multilib/14.1/
```
- b. run the following commands :
Code:
```
$ slackpkg update
$ slackpkg upgrade gcc glibc
$ slackpkg install multilib
```
4. mk-slack64-multilib

mk-slack64-multilib is an automated Tool to create a slackware64+multilib iso from a slackware64 iso/dvd and a multilib mirror.

To create a slackware64+multilib iso from your slackware64 iso/dvd, you will proceed as below (as root, or not) :
Code:
```
$ mount -o ro,loop /path/to/slackware64-multilib.iso /mnt/cdrom

$ mk-slack64-multilib --input /mnt/cdrom --mirror http://taper.alienbase.nl/mirrors/people/alien/multilib --build-iso
```
The slackware64+multilib iso :
- is created in ~/mk-slack64-multilib/ and named unofficial-slackware64-14.1_multilib-install-dvd.iso
- includes the 3rd party tools compat32pkg, multilibpkg, slackpkg+

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

--
SeB

chrisretusn · 11-17-2013, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenixia2003

If you use slackpkg to keep your system up to date, you must add the line below into the file /etc/slackpkg/blacklist to prevent overwrite of the multilib version of packages gcc/glibc when running "slackpkg upgrade-all" :

Code:

[0-9]+alien

May want to also add:

[0-9]+compat32

gmjs · 11-17-2013, 08:07 AM

Thanks for all the replies everyone---there's some great info here.

I'd still like to see the multilib packages included on the official DVD though!