On 09/14/2012 08:42 PM, Lamar Owen wrote: > On Friday, September 14, 2012 02:08:40 PM Johnny Hughes wrote: >> I am trying to understand how this: >> >> yum install epel-repo > >> is any easier for users than this: > >> yum install >> http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/fedora-epel/6/i386/epel-release-6-7.noarch.rpm > > Assuming osuosl's mirror is up... but anyway, 'yum --enablerepo=extras install epel-release' (with the repo in epel-release enabled, that is, a direct mirror of what is in EPEL itself) is a whole lot easier to type correctly and a whole lot easier for someone, who is likely to be unfamiliar with Fedora's website and mirroring system and difficulty in finding anything but the current Fedora Desktop LiveCD, to find and to understand. > > Also, if epel-release were to be shipped in both C5 and C6's Extras for all supported arches, then the EPEL install instructions are the same and consistent among all CentOS releases, no 'find the right EPEL release and arch' required. > > If I want to go to the EPEL repo, it is actually easier to find from the CentOS Wiki than from the Fedora Project website's home page. > > But, Alan has a good point about the complete lack of a distro tag, and Russ is completely correct about EPEL shipping packages that do supercede upstream packages without an easy to see differentiator in the package name. But both of those points are valid whether CentOS ships epel-release (as is, rsync'd straight from EPEL) from Extras or not. Shipping epel-release just makes it easier for users to get to EPEL. I was long time out of loop for personal reasons, so I missed this discussion when it happened. People that asked that EPEL repo package is to be included in CentOS distribution are Home users that would like to setup CentOS as file (and other) server for home or even Desktop use. Since Ubuntu is much easier in that respect, to complicated procedure will just direct them to ditch CentOS and use Ubuntu instead. For popularization of CentOS as a Desktop use, that is path to larger Server use, thing should be much easier. Adding epel-release (and elrepo-release) would be excellent step forward for popularization of CentOS among general population as one of the most stable Linux distros today. Example: My friend says that he would like to reinstall his Windows system with Linux and asks my what Linux distro he should use, and if I could help him install and maintain it. And he wants full shebang, with codecs etc. Now, the difference between yum install epel-repo and Open browser search for third party repository via google on centos site find EPEL on page locate server navigate to find proper rpm file explain how he should copy it find out why his copying does not download the needed file (he has not selected entire link, etc) yum install http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/fedora-epel/6/i386/epel-release-6-7.noarch.rpm (or similar procedure). You can not dictate the second command over the phone, and without setting up mailing client, and navigating noob is even more time consuming. So adding EPEL (and elrepo) package(s) would help popularize CentOS amongst general population, unless someone does not want CentOS to be popular so he does not have to teach total noobs how to use it. Suggestions: 1. centos-release should be altered to incorporate Priority=X line so the people using other repositories could use 3rd party repositories more safely, even if *-release packages of 3rd party repos will not be added. 2. CentOS project could build "Desktop" or "Friendly" ISO's with added epel-release and elrepo-release files that would stop discouraging "Desktop" people from using CentOS and driving them to other distros. And I vote for *-release file to exist in CentOS-Extras repository without installing them by default. -- Ljubomir Ljubojevic (Love is in the Air) PL Computers Serbia, Europe Google is the Mother, Google is the Father, and traceroute is your trusty Spiderman... StarOS, Mikrotik and CentOS/RHEL/Linux consultant