I got Mandrake 9.1 and love everything about it except one thing. I want to upgrade to the version of KDE, but when I download the files I get all these dependency issues and I have to spend hours tracking down packages.

Is there a better way to do this? Is there an application that works like Windows Installer where it will either download the dependent files, or have them already pre-compiled?

I'm a newbie when it comes to Linux and this is the only frustrating issue. I can't just install a program. I have to download all these packages, make sure all the dependencies are met, and then install them in a proper order. I'd love to switch over completely to Linux but until this issue is resolved it just isn't feasible. Any advice?

Sage

rpmdrake partially does that. Look at rpm vs deb thread for some info.

I'm sure that when programs and drivers will be easier to install, the desktop for linux will be a lot more possible for everybody.

rpmfind can be a useful resource for those strange packages; it's got easy-to-install binary rpms for a wide variety of packages.

Another hint; if you attempt to install all the needed packages simultaniously, rpm will automaticlly figure out what order they need to be installed. Like so:

rpm -hv --install pack1.rpm pack2.rpm pack3.rpm etc...

-Andrew

Go to http://www.zarb.org/~nanardon/ and follow the instructions to add sources to urpmi. This will enable to you to resolve most dependency issues you may have, and will give you access to tons of useful programs not included with the official Mandrake distribution.

Make sure you get the Texstar source. It usually has some very useful apps like very current versions of KDE (currently 3.1.3), and Mozilla (currently 1.4), and Gaim (currently 0.66).

PLF is useful for those that like to work extensively with audio and video.

Hope this helps. Enjoy!

thanks a lot for the site Brant ! It would be nice if some of these links where set by default in mandrake.

It would, but I don't know if it's going to happen any time soon.

There are licensing issues that keep them from being official Mandrake sources.

I think another reason is that Mandrake might find themselves in the position of being the entity perceived as handling tech support for those packages. It's hard to support something you didn't create. It may create that perceived liability.

If it breaks does Mandrake want to be held responsible for someone else's errors, even if they (Mandrake) didn't have any input into the design, security, etc. of the program?

Maybe someone from Mandrake would be so kind as to post something to clarify this issue?

They also can't assume that everyone has broadband internet access, so the CD's are the default source, as opposed to the ftp options.

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! I've already started implementing some of your suggestions.

Thanks again.