Install via ports...

[Ne'Bahn]

Hi list, I've read the handbook for ports, basically (if I understand) ports 
are files that brings information (location, dependencies) to the system to 
compile a series of files (sources) to have the final piece of software. 
Very nice with the advantages that comes with this type of installation, 
but, what about a big applications like Gnome, OpenOffice and so on. I can't 
try ports because I can't have a fast/long connection for downloads (due to 
some restrictions on my country) so I always install via packages, and it 
takes a while, well a little bit. So what I am asking if is anyone has test 
a Gnome, OpenOffice.org, or any other big installations via ports (say in a 
Pentium 4 2.8GHz HT with 512Mb RAM) can tell me the elapsed time ??? Just 
curious...thanks in advance.