Comments on: Don’t take the easy way out http://www.dennmart.com/2007/01/30/dont-take-the-easy-way-out/ Official Blog of Dennis Martinez Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:45:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Wil Sinclair http://www.dennmart.com/2007/01/30/dont-take-the-easy-way-out/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Wil Sinclair Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:10:41 +0000 http://blog.dennmart.com/2007/01/30/dont-take-the-easy-way-out/#comment-3 I just posted my experiences while installing QmailToaster at http://www.wllm.com/node/21 . Since this project is based on qmail, everything must be compiled, which can (and does) complicate the install process somewhat. I found myself wishing that I could yum or apt-get all this stuff more than a few times. While I don't typically compile my software to optimize performance on my system and I'm quick to sacrifice the latest version for an easy install, I can see the value of doing this. But no need to sacrifice a package manager for compiling if the srpm's are available. Also, I've found that software configuration and/or placement in the system is much more problematic in packages than compilation options or any other compile-time decisions. Ultimately, the package is only as good as the packager has made it- lots of packages just aren't quality efforts. I just posted my experiences while installing QmailToaster at http://www.wllm.com/node/21 . Since this project is based on qmail, everything must be compiled, which can (and does) complicate the install process somewhat. I found myself wishing that I could yum or apt-get all this stuff more than a few times.
While I don’t typically compile my software to optimize performance on my system and I’m quick to sacrifice the latest version for an easy install, I can see the value of doing this. But no need to sacrifice a package manager for compiling if the srpm’s are available. Also, I’ve found that software configuration and/or placement in the system is much more problematic in packages than compilation options or any other compile-time decisions. Ultimately, the package is only as good as the packager has made it- lots of packages just aren’t quality efforts.

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