Date: Fri, 06 Sep 2002 16:43:33 -0400 From: "Jud" <jud@myrealbox.com> To: bsdneophyte@yahoo.com Cc: jonc@chen.org.nz, freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Re: upgrading and updating .... extremely complicated for me. Message-ID: <1031345013.553822e0jud@myrealbox.com>
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-----Original Message----- From: Bsd Neophyte <bsdneophyte@yahoo.com> To: Jonathan Chen <jonc@chen.org.nz> Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 12:03:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: upgrading and updating .... extremely complicated for me. --- Jonathan Chen <jonc@chen.org.nz> wrote: (snip) > In fact > the Handbook recommends against it. If you're not comfortable with > reading the stuff in the Handbook, perhaps you shouldn't be thinking of > going with -stable. >=20 > Going with -stable means you must be willing to read the instructions, > and the Handbook is *THE* source. If you find any parts you don't > understand, let us know. okay... i do read the handbook... i refer to the handbook before ask questions. however, for me, a person who is not very technically inclined, some things in the handbook are beyond me. the handbook mentions that the make.conf file needs to be editied... but it doesn't go into any detail like it did with how to modify the kernel.generic file. i've tried reading the small explanations in the make.conf file itself, but most of it is beyond my comprehension. [snip] ______________________________ It's really not that bad. From your questions re the=20 kernel, I'm guessing you may have Linux experience,=20 which would give you a procedure to "un-learn" while=20 learning BSD. (I'm in the process of installing=20 Linux for the first time after a couple of years with=20 FBSD, so I'm getting similar experiences.:) Regarding /etc/make.conf, the simplest thing is to=20 copy /etc/defaults/make.conf to /etc. Then all you=20 have to do to edit /etc/make.conf is to uncomment=20 the lines you want to use. Which lines do you want=20 to use? If you're unsure, don't uncomment anything.=20 The defaults should work. _______________________________ it then goes to talk about /etc and /etc/group and how you need to make sure that certain groups do exist that might be required for an upgrade.=20 how do you determine what groups need to exist? _______________________________ I wouldn't worry too much about that. Changes in=20 that file can be taken care of using mergemaster, IIRC. _______________________________ it then talks about mergemaster... what's mergemaster? the man pages says it's some tool to help update certain configuration files... but i'm still unsure on how to use it. _______________________________ When the handbook tells you to use mergemaster, you=20 just type "mergemaster" (no quotes) at the prompt. =20 Mergemaster presents you with the choice to install, delete, "merge," or leave for later various new files.=20 (If you don't see that choice, you can page through=20 the file using the spacebar until you do see it.) =20 You'll want to install most new files. However, for=20 those such as /etc/group, or involving passwords,=20 you'll want to do a merge. When you select merge, you'll be given lines from the=20 new file on one side (I think it's the right) and=20 lines from the old file on the other side. You just=20 type "l" or "r" depending on whether you want the old=20 or new line to be included in the merged file. =20 You'll want mostly new lines, but if you see that a=20 line in a password file or /etc/group, for example,=20 would replace your username or password with a blank=20 line or a generic entry, then select the old line. _______________________________ okay there is mention that one shouldn't use make world anymore... that make buildworld is prefered... but when i try that i get the following error codes: [snip] i mean that entire process... everything on the section is beyond me.=20 Greg Lehey's version of updating seems much more simple, but even that's giving these error codes. i prefer to use the handbook's version because it's more recent. _______________________________ That's just fine (though I'm sure it doesn't seem=20 quite so fine to you). You don't necessarily need to=20 update right now. Maybe try doing some more reading=20 in Greg Lehey's book, the handbook, and these lists. =20 Google Groups searches are great tools for exploring past threads in these lists on subjects that interest you. Also try the man pages, either on your system or online. Just using the FreeBSD system you have now will help you feel more comfortable and less intimidated. Hope this helps - if you have more questions, look at the FAQs, the Handbook, Greg's book, Google Groups, and of course ask the list. :) Jud To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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