[Triumf-linux-managers] Re: SL4: Seamonkey instructions

[Konstantin Olchanski]

On Tue, Aug 15, 2006 at 12:20:10PM -0700, Kel Raywood wrote:
> ... you should have "obsoletes=1" in the [main] section

I confirm that adding "obsoletes=1" to yum.conf fixes
the seamonkey stuff-up. I am now investigating why this entry
is missing on most machines.

> >... The first script fixes the yum failure cause by unsigned Java rpms
> >(one hopes SUN will eventually start signing their RPMs).
> 
> If you have a local repository for the SUN RPMs, then you could just sign
> them yourself. ...

I am not sure I personally want to sign RPMs provided 3rd parties,
even SUN. I certainly do not have the manpower for doing this
each time they issue new rpms.

> You could create a TRIUMF RPM-GPG-KEY and give
> the private (signing) key to those at TRIUMF who create RPMs for sitewide
> distribution. ...

Yes, we already have this setup and we sign critical scripts and RPMs.

> I use the IBM Java runtime and browser-plugin RPMs on all our machines ...

Good for you, but we have to worry about compatibility wider
than "all my machines", we have to stay compatible with machines
at CERN and other labs. So we are trying to stick to vanilla SL
as much as possible.

There is also some mental resistance at running mongrel systems,
even though we have done it in the past, where absolutely required.

> Up until now it was restricted to java-1.4.2 but in RHEL-4 update
> 4 that was released last week, java-1.5.0 RPMs are available for all
> platforms (including ppc64).

Yes, but with Java updates, a big worry is application compatibility,
especially VRVS.

> If you don't have access to RHEL-Extras...

Yes, I have access to RHEL-Extras and we are aware of CentOS.

> On x86_64 machines, I use the 32-bit mozilla and firefox packages and so
> install the 32-bit java RPMs.  The main reason for this is that the flash
> and acrobat-reader plugins are binary and 32-bit only.  People here
> complain if their web-browser doesn't support java, flash and
> acrobat-reader.

Yes, I know about this: SL4 installs 64-bit browsers
on 64-bit machines and common 32-bit plugins do not work.

As we have few 64-bit machines used as personal desktops, it had
not been a problem, yet.

-- 
Konstantin Olchanski
Data Acquisition Systems: The Bytes Must Flow!
Email: olchansk-at-triumf-dot-ca
Snail mail: 4004 Wesbrook Mall, TRIUMF, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 2A3, Canada