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That's a great article about apt4Suse ;) instead of apt4rpm in the last issue of Linux Magazine (Issue #54 / May, p52)! But I have some remarks, of course, as I'm the founder and maintainer of the apt4suse repository.
It's a pity that the writer does not mention the script apt. This script is a wrapper around many apt scripts, like apt-get, apt-cache, apt-config, etc. The wrapper knows some additional options, e.g., --test, --no-postscript, --no-checksig, --sourceslist, and some more that standard apt tools don't know. Some of these options use the embedded scripting language lua that comes with apt-rpm.
These additional options are not known to other distributions if they don't distribute the script apt. That might be your point, as you have an article about apt for rpm-based distributions.
Nevertheless, because apt provides the options --no-checksig, the user does not need to replace the value of GPG::CHECK with false. This lessens the security threshold of the system! People should be told to keep the GPG::CHECK on true and use the --no-checksig option instead.
Or just have the rpmkey of the Suse user (suser) providing the rpms installed. This is done by apt install rpmkey-<component-name>. The apt script will take care that the rpm key is imported in the rpm database!
With the latest apt rpm release (version cnc7), it is now possible for Suse users to configure automatic updates from within yast2. Run yast2 and then select -> system -> edit sysconfig -> system -> autoupdate. It can be configured for security or base system only. The script will run on a daily basis.
At the end of the article the author advises to browse through archives like the Freshrpms site. This is not necessary as the apt repository comes with a Debian tool called apt-file. This tool is able to tell which file is provided by which package, e.g. if apt-file searches bin/gramps, the result will be Applications/Genealogy gramps.
After that you know which package delivers the file. With the description on http://linux01.gwdg.de/apt4rpm/home.html#contents you can determine which apt component provides the package (including version number).
Richard Bos, by email
Suse Linux 9.2 was already used as a cover mount by another magazine on the newsstand in February. Could you have not thought of something different? Suse Linux 9.3 will be out soon.
Could you not have given us Knoppix 3.8? Who is responsible at Linux Magazine for the DVD content? How can we put in suggestions for future DVDs?
From http://www.linux-magazine.com/Readers/Forum
If you are a regular reader, you might remember Linux Magazine's #48 / November 2004 DVD, which contained Knoppix 3.6. We will continue publishing future versions of the fabulous Knoppix Live distro, so watch for a new Knoppix DVD in the near future.
However, we still think a full Suse Linux 9.2 Professional version - without the limitations of the download version you might have seen elsewhere - has a real benefit for a large group of readers. Our full Suse Linux 9.2 Professional version has never been on the newsstand as a magazine cover mount anytime before.
It is 100% identical with DVD 1 from the Suse Linux 9.2 Pro box and includes both the full 32-bit and 64-bit versions on a 7.5 GB dual-layer DVD. In contrast, the download version, as provided on other magazine cover mounts, contains less than half of that, missing a number of important applications as well as nearly all development and server components.
Anyone who has a suggestion for a future Linux Magazine DVD can drop us a line at letters@linux-magazine.com.
Would it be possible to include a 64-bit version of a distro in a future Linux Magazine DVD issue? Thanks and keep up the good work!
Marc Heerbrant, by email
We have just done what you're asking for: Issue #54 / May 2005 of Linux Magazine features a full Suse Linux 9.2 Professional, containing the 64-bit version as well as the common 32-bit version!
You can order the magazine with DVD as a back issue here: http://www.linux-magazine.com/Backissues.
Thank you for the article on Wine in issue #54 / May 2005! There's a fantastic configuration tool for Wine that I just discovered recently. It gives you point & click Wine configuration and even installs Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Acrobat Reader, and many other programs more or less without asking you for any help.
I discovered the tool because I needed Acrobat 6.0 - 5.0 would not display a LaTeX Prosper PDF presentation with a white background correctly. The address is: http://sidenet.ddo.jp/winetips/config.html.
Peter Wenger, by email