Very few Packages in Entrophy compared to debian

[desputin]

Is there a brief explanation about what portage is and how it works?

[Stupot]

You can read what wikipedia has to say for a basic understanding: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portage_%28software%29

Sabayon has a wiki entry concerning using portage as well: http://wiki.sabayon.org/index.php?title ... ith_emerge

[desputin]

Ok, thanks. I'll check that out.

I've created some bugs/requests for entrophy packages of my favorite programs:

3717 Request for Package in Entropy - SAGA GIS
3701 Integrate Jameica/Hibiscus into repository - best online banking application for Linux
3700 Integrate areca - great java backup - into repository
3699 Integrate latest development version of clementine into repository
3698 Request to integrate gscan2pdf - best "unpaper" utility.
3718 - Request for Package in Entropy - Sentinella

[Fitzcarraldo]

Don't forget the Gentoo Handbook too: Part 2, Chapter 1 A Portage Introduction. Also, if you are going to mix Portage and Entropy, you need to be aware of certain things:

entropy in gentoo

HOWTO: Safely mix Entropy and Portage

Masking and Unmasking Packages in Entropy

Preventing entropy from downgrading portage packages

Advantages of combining Portage and Entropy

[desputin]

Thaks for the information.

But sorry... I'm not satisfied!
As I said: In debian most things are in the standard repository (ok, after adding the multimedia sources) but for me as a starter with sabayon this whole confusion of portage, entropy and rigo really bothers me. In my opinion an operating system should be there for the user. I don't want do read a book just to understand how the technical structures behind the GUIs are! I simply want to USE the system. That's it.

I understand that it takes a lot of time and man power to build a big repository. But if people are supposed to use a linux distribution productively and without going through much trouble it will be necessary to have more programs in the repository than right now in rigo.The whole package management in a easy to use rigo-gui is useless, if many programs have to be installed through the terminal....

Sorry if I sound harsh

[Fitzcarraldo]

desputin, if you're not satisfied and think Debian has more packages, then use Debian. No one is forcing you to use SL.

I don't see many posts in these forums complaining about the number of packages in the Entropy repositories, so I assume the large majority of SL users find the packages they want are already in the Entropy repository, or they file a request for a particular package they want to be added to the Entropy repository. The more experienced users have the option of using Portage but it is not a requirement for using the distribution, just an extra arrow to the bow.

However, if in your case that is not satisfactory and you feel Debian fits your personal requirements better, I recommend you use Debian. After all, Linux is all about choice and different people choose different distributions for different reasons.

Good luck, and look in from time to time.

[desputin]

Hi Fritzcarraldo,

Yes I'm indeed using debian/Kanotix and I'm quite happy with it. As an alternative to that I still think sabayon is very attractive because all packages are quite new and somehow the system as a whole looks very convincing.
That's also why I'm complaining. The number of packages is really the ONLY thing. Otherwise sabayon would be perfect.

As I wrote I already created package-requests for some of my favorite programs. But I don't think that they will be integrated soon. At least for now non of them have been touched.

Installing packages with portage also doesn't always work very well. At least not for a non-expert with limited time. So for me.

I think I'll just wait six months or so and check in rigo again.



PS installing programs with configure & make probalbly works in sabayon the same way as in debian?

[Stupot]

Yes it should, but manually installing programs in any distro is going to be unsupported officially.

[Kngrthr]

I have ran Linux for 15 years (holey moley I'm old) but have always used the easy distros, deb and rpm's, I just installed Sabayon 10 because those other updated distros installed then gave me blank screens upon booting, I just want the computer to work for me, a user shouldn't have to tweak this and tweak that to get their computer to work, I must say Sabayon is "Freakin Awesome" everything worked the way it should and right from the install and updates, I am very impressed. Thanks Sabayon.