[CentOS] Centos 6.3 - which repos to use?

Tue Jan 22 22:03:41 UTC 2013
James Freer <jessejazza3.uk at gmail.com>

On Tue, Jan 22, 2013 at 9:15 PM, Johnny Hughes <johnny at centos.org> wrote:
> On 01/22/2013 03:01 PM, James Freer wrote:
>> I've just installed v6.3 as a desktop (from
>> Centos-6.3-i386-LiveCD.iso) and to get the hang of the Centos approach
>> and then hope to move on to a server. I've been using linux *buntu for
>> 5 years.
>>
>> Hope i don't sound like a nit but i've got a little confused with the
>> repos. Hoping someone would be kind enough just to clarify. This
>> installation is for stability whilst installing the latest versions
>> available.
>>
>>
>> a] What happens if i select these? I assume that Centos6 is correct so
>> why these?
>>
>> In software sources i have checked;
>> Centos6-base, Centos6-extras, Centos6-updates
>>
>> unchecked;
>> Centos6-contrib, Centos6-media, Centos6-plus
>> i did check these three and media wouldn't, and plus wanted to suggest
>> installation kernel 2.6 [gulp]. Each unchecked without installing.
>>
>> Then we also have the same for 6.0, 6.1, 6.2?
>>
>>
>> b] So which repos to use as i'm unsure where apps are i want to use
>> like efax (ok that's in), yumex, pyrenamer, llgal, abiword. at present
>> i'm not sure which repos to use other than the one's i've mentioned.
>>
>> I then started to look at the repos
>> http://wiki.centos.org/AdditionalResources/Repositories
>>
>> Centos extras and plus -- are these the same as above?
>> CS/GFS, Centos testing, Fast track, debuginfo, contrib, CR - would
>> seem not applicable to me.
>>
>> 3rd party repos
>> rpmforge (DAG), and EPEL seem likely
>> other repos seem likely to replace core packages which wouldn't be applicable.
>> Google RPM gets a "use with care". I used the google browser on *buntu
>> from their website with no problems so i was wondering what the
>> problem would be and whether to use this repoo or the website. The
>> fact that a maintainer has made this repo suggests a reason rather
>> than just convenience.
>>
>>
>> c] Could one just use pkgs.org to install from?
>>
>> My google "centos abiword" threw up yet another repo 'puias' and this
>> has the latest Abiword version 2.8.6.
>> http://pkgs.org/centos-6-rhel-6/puias-i386/abiword-2.8.6-3.puias6.i686.rpm.html
>> I could just install from pkgs.org/centos-6 it would seem? Point is
>> the repos are maintained by an expert rather than folk just
>> downloading.
>>
>> I was then confused further by this
>> http://miles.isb.bj.edu.cn/2012/03/09/how-to-install-abiword-on-centos-6-x64/
>> One needs to add epal and rpmforge just for abiword? Surely the
>> dependencies would be in the same repo
>>
>>
>> I'm sure all is quite simple really but i'd be grateful for the
>> guidance before i mess up an installation.
>
> puias is another rebuild of RHEL code (like CentOS .. but a different
> project) ... they also just changed their name to Springdale Linux:
>
> http://springdale.math.ias.edu/
>
> WRT recommended repos (that also explains what extras is, centosplus is,
> etc):
>
> http://wiki.centos.org/AdditionalResources/Repositories
>
> Basically, for almost everything I need, I can get it from CentOS, EPEL,
> and maybe RPMForge.
>
> As far as the distro is concerned, CentOS-6 is the distro and the point
> releases are basically just point in time freezes to generate new
> install media.  You will always get to the latest version of CentOS-6
> (currently 6.3 and updates to that) by doing "yum update"
>
> CR is a way to "point release" updates about a week faster, we release
> the RPMS when they are ready, into CR and then we make ISOs out of them
> and release the next version.  It usually takes 5-10 days to make the
> ISOs, test them and seed them.

puias... sorry i overlooked that. Clear enough now. I'll use the epal
and rpmforge repos and see how i get on.

thanks
james