Re: using the panel to uninstall packages.

[Miles Lane <miles amazon com>]

Daniel Veillard wrote:
> 
> On Tue, Feb 15, 2000 at 09:40:30AM -0800, Miles Lane wrote:
> > Andrew Post wrote:
> > >
> > > How is an RPM or DEB package different from your self-extracting
> > > installation program?
> >
> > The difference is that RPM and DEB package management does the
> > installation, but doesn't provide a GUI interface that facilitates
> > the configuration of the installation and the program in one pass.
> > That's what most installation processes do, whether you are installing
> > an OS or a program.
> 
>   RPM don't need/doesn't provide any user level customization
> except the very unfrequent case of relocatable package. Installing
> is one command, deleteing is one command, no UI is really needed
> for the installation per se. Now locating RPMs and finding ways to
> fire up multiple install/upgrades is another matter. Check gnorpm
> or rpmfind for ideas.
>   This *is* one pass, unless you have dependancies problems.

Would you consider it out of the question to extend the functionality
of RPM to the extent that installation options were added that enabled
the following:

	- Specify program installation location and other program
	  installation options?

	- Launch the program with a "-config" option or some such.
	  GUI programs including this option could then enter a
	  first time use configuration sequence.

These options would make it trivial to write a RPM/DEB front-end
that would accomplish what the InstallShield and setup.exe do.
This would not comprimise the dependency-checking that RPM and
DEB package management does.

	Miles