Installing software via ports and packages

[Andrew L. Gould]

On Monday 01 March 2004 03:05 pm, Lance Earl wrote:
> I have been evaluating FreeBSD as a possible replacement for my RedHat web
> server and as a possible desktop. So far I like it except for one issue
> that drives me nuts.
>
> But first, my machine. I installed FreeBSD on a Pentium 250 with 512 megs
> of ram and about 80 gigs on the hard drive. I currently use this machine
> to write code and to upload/download files. I also use The Gimp for very
> small image editing projects. The big projects go on my faster machine. In
> short, I do not work it hard at all. I am connected to the Internet via
> Direcway satellite, which is terrible but the best option where I live.
>
> Most recently I have been running Fedora Core on this machine and running
> Nedit, Bluefish, the Gimp and Gftp under Gnome.
>
> I installed FreeBsd 4.9 with fluxbox. Using ports I installed Bluefish(I
> was disappointed to see that the most current port was an older version),
> Nedit, Nano, Gimp and Gftp. The ports download and compile of these
> programs took approximately forever plus 32 seconds. I tried installing
> with packages but ran into installation errors.
>
> In frustration I reinstalled Fedora.
>
> I really want to use FreeBSD. I like their philosophy and direction. I
> like this mailing list and the handbook is very useful. But if it takes
> all day to install relatively small packages, I can't wait... my time has
> value too.
>
> Are there any suggestions out there?
>
> Lance Earl
> DallyPost, Inc.
> 208-548-2721

If you've already reinstalled Fedora, then you allowed your frustration level 
to get too high before seeking help.  My first suggestion, regardless of 
which os you finally choose, is to seek help earlier -- your blood pressure 
will thank you for it.

FreeBSD 4.9 was released in October of 2003.  Many of the ports have been 
updated since that time.  If you want versions of ports occuring after the 
release date, you can update the ports and base system using cvsup, which can 
be installed from the installation cdrom.  Cvsup is discussed in the 
handbook.

Regarding the installation of binaries:
1. What was the source of the binaries?
2. Exactly what method did you use to install the binaries?

The binaries on the FreeBSD 4.9 installation cdroms should install without 
errors unless you have modified or updated the system in some way.  Please 
keep in mind that pkg_add expects to be able to find needed dependencies; so 
installing a binary that you copied onto your hard drive would increase the 
likelihood of errors.

You can install more recent binaries from the ftp servers:

ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ports/packages/

If you haven't updated the system from FreeBSD 4.9 Release, then your system 
might be out of sync with these binaries.  Binaries for 4.9 Release (i386 
architecture) can be found at: 

ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ports/i386/packages-4.9-release/All/

pkg_add will install the binary and missing dependencies.  For example, to 
install gimp-1.3.19_1,1.tgz and its dependencies execute:

pkg_add ftp://ftp.freebsd.org/pub/FreeBSD/ports/i386/packages-4.9-release/All/
gimp-1.3.19_1,1.tgz

("pkg_add....gimp-1.3.19_1,1.tgz" should be on one line.)

Good luck,

Andrew Gould