Package Management

The Zenwalk way of package management is to use NetPkg.

Netpkg is designed to update the system from a central repository. It can also install new software that is not on the install CD. Netpkg has a dependency management feature, enabled by default. A blacklist section in /etc/netpkg.conf can be edited for packages that you don't want to automatically update. xnetpkg is the GTK graphical user interface version of netpkg.

netpkg can be started in graphical mode or via the terminal. The graphical front end is the easiest to use, but with less fucntionality.

Using netpkg in the Graphical Mode (xnetpkg)

Running xnetpkg

XFCE menu => system > netpkg or via the ZenPanel

The Netpkg window appears, and it starts by loading a mirror database. At the moment, this version of netpkg does not work unless your box is connected to the Internet.

netpkg

To select a mirror and click an downward arrow on the right. A list of available mirror address will drop down. Select a mirror which you want to use. There are 3 types of mirrors available: Current, Snapshop and Restricted.

  1. Current: select any of available Current mirrors if you wish to install stable packages and security fixes
  2. Snapshot : choose any of snapshot mirrors if you want to try out a cutting edge programs. The repository will contain the packages included in the development Zenwalk version
  3. Restricted: Some packages are located under a restricted mirror due to patent/legal reasons, like lame.

If you wish to edit, add mirrors that are not listed or remove mirrors, you can do so by writing down a mirror address in the box.

mirror

How to use

Layout

Netpkg has the following layout:

  1. Mirror selection list.
  2. Filters:  Ticking "Not installed" will give a list on the left of available uninstalled and new packages on the selected mirror. Option "Installed" shows packages installed on your system. Option "Modified" let you filter the upgraded and downgraded packages. The "Orphans" filter shows packages that have been installed as a dependency of other packages, but no longer needed.
  3. Package list: This is where you can see Categories and Program names as well as the status of each package.
  4. Action buttons: To install, upgrade and uninstall packages and calculates dependencies.
  5. Description box: This is where you get a brief description of a program you selected in Package list.

layout

How to install a package

  1. Select a package you want to install on Package list.
  2. Read description of selected package. If you are happy with the selection, than mark it for instalation by a doubleclick. This will be indicated by a green checkmark in the column "Select".
  3. Click on "Install button" (left action button) to proceed.

    install a package

  4. Under the Actions window, you will find:

            1. Selected program and its dependencies to install. 
    2. Action buttons to install either the selected package or together with dependencies.
    Be warned, installed program may be not functioning as expected if you skip dependencies!
    3. Tick "Accept .new config files" option to overwrite related configuration files by the new ones. You can quit this window by pressing [Close].


    install action

  5. If you have chosen to update, downgrade or uninstall, the following action window similar to the one shown below will appear:

    	1. Your selection.
    2. Uninstallation button and "Remove dependencies as well" button appear here.

    uninstall action

    If you try to remove packages which are dependency to others, netpkg will give a warning.
    
          

Using netpkg in the Command Line Interface (netpkg)

Running netpkg

Become root by typing su,enter your root password, and type netpkg.

netpkg cli

The terminal version of netpkg can do a lot more than the graphical version. Netpkg's parameters are covered in the next section.

How to use
 netpkg cli 2

When a matching package is found, netpkg will prompt for the action to perform If the installed package is an older version, the user will be prompted to upgrade it. If the installed package is the same version, the user will be prompted to reinstall it. If the package is not installed, the user will be prompted to install it. Netpkg takes the package from the local cache or downloads it. The integrity of the local package is verified, and the package is downloaded again if it is corrupted. The download option overwrites any existing package having the same name.
Netpkg.conf (netpkg configuration file)

Located in the /etc directory

You will be able to change some parameters by adding or erasing the '#' symbol at the beginning of some lines to (un)comment configuration lines. Uncommented lines (those without hash marks "#") are read and executed. Here are the most useful:

Some advice for upgrading your system

First, always upgrade Netpkg:

   # netpkg netpkg

Then, when you have to update "X11, XFCE, Desktop", you should do it in text mode, with leaving the graphical one

Don't be afraid, it's quite simple:

  1. Leave your graphical session: Run your root Terminal, and go to init 3:
       # init 3
  2. Do the needed update:
       # netpkg xorg xorg-drivers xfce
  3. Go back to the graphical session, in init 4
       # init 4

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