This repository contains a set of pre-built GNUstep binary packages that you can install using RPM, YaST2, zypper or similar package managers. It provides a quick and easy way of setting up a GNUstep installation, without the need to compile from source.
The packages were built for the openSUSE 11.2 release; they might or might not work with other distributions. They are configured to follow the UNIX/Linux FHS file-system layout. This means that the software is installed in the places where you would expect to find it in an openSUSE system.
The 'unstable' versions of the gnustep-base and gnustep-gui libraries have been preferred over the 'stable' versions because the latter are now somewhat out-of-date.
It is hoped to expand the set of applications included, when:
applications currently under development, such as the Vespucci web browser, become ready for use; and
older applications are brought up-to-date and bug-fixed.
You can quickly install either the GNUstep Base System, comprising the core libraries and system tools, or the GNUstep Applications, which adds a range of development, office, internet and multimedia applications.
First, remove any old GNUstep software that is already installed on your system. If you have installed an earlier version of this openSUSE 11.2/GNUstep 2.2.0 release, you can keep it and update it with the new packages.
Add the following package repositories, if you do not already have them (in YaST2, go to Software —> Software Repositories):
|
GNUstep packages for openSUSE - this release |
|
The openSUSE 11.2 online repository - for openSUSE 11.2 packages that are not on the release DVD |
|
The Packman repository - for multi-media packages that are generally not on openSUSE |
Now install or update GNUstep:
In YaST2, go to Software —> Software Management.
Click on the Patterns tab if it is showing, or choose Patterns from the View tab.
In the left-hand Pattern panel, under Graphical Environments, click on the check-box for whichever of the GNUstep package sets you wish to install. (If you select GNUstep Applications, it will automatically install the GNUstep Base System as well.)
Click Accept (at the bottom right-hand corner of the window).
For finer control over which packages are installed, see the section on Custom Installation.
Finally, enable the gdomap service. In YaST2, go to System —> System Services (Runlevel) to do this. At the same time, you may wish to disable the avahi-daemon and avahi-dnsconfd services, unless you actually need them.
After installing GNUstep, log out of your window manager and then log in again. This will pick up the newly configured environment variables etc.
If you have already installed a previous version of this release, you can update it to the current version.
You should already have the necessary repositories, as described above, set up. Ensure that the GNUstep package repository is refreshed; it will probably be auto-refreshed on starting the YaST2 Software Manager but, if you do not have it marked for auto-refresh, you will need to refresh it manually.
In YaST2, go to Software —> Software Management, then select the Patterns tab.
In the left-hand Pattern panel, under Graphical Environments, click on the check-box for whichever of the GNUstep package sets you wish to update. (If you select GNUstep Applications, it will automatically update the GNUstep Base System as well.)
GNUstep's Terminal package has been renamed GNUstepTerminal to avoid confusion with xfce's Terminal package.
Updating to this new release will automatically install GNUstepTerminal and remove GNUstep's previous Terminal package (version 0.9.6).
The GNUstep core libraries - all four of these are required. Please note that these are built from the currently 'unstable' source. | |
The GNUstep file and desktop manager - highly recommended. | |
Fonts and themes to give the desktop a nice appearance and make it easy to read - recommended. | |
System tools - useful. |
The GNUstep Object Relationship Modeller (a graphical user interface builder). | |
An Integrated Development Environment for GNUstep. | |
A user interface designer that generates interfaces from XML descriptions. | |
A program that enables you to add your favourite fonts to your GNUstep system. |
Contact-management and diary-management tools. | |
An Internet File Transfer Package. | |
An Electronic Mail Package. | |
CD, DVD and multimedia players - recommended. | |
Precision Raster Image Convolution Engine, offering sophisticated graphical filters and transforms - recommended for the serious graphics enthusiast. | |
A nice and easy-to-use slide show program - recommended. | |
A vector graphics program for GNUstep, suitable for Computer Aided Manufacturing and Desktop Publishing applications. |
These packages have been built using gnustep-make version 2.2.0 and configured for an FHS file system layout. They are not compatible with older versions of GNUstep, or with GNUstep software configured for the Windows, Mac or GNUstep traditional file system layouts.
These packages are intended for use on openSUSE 11.2. It is unlikely that they will work on other releases, due to numerous differences in compilers, libraries and release contents.
The following are not currently included in this release:
In the CD Player application, the online Help facility is not currently available. The Help information itself is available on your system, in the directory:
The .xlp files in this directory are (somewhat) readable using a text viewer or editor.
In the Terminal application, font changes made using the Preferences panel do not 'stick'. You can change the font by using the 'defaults write' command.
If you require a custom install, rather than the Quick Install described above, you can choose individual GNUstep packages in YaST2. Click on the Repositories tab or, if it is not showing, go to View —> Repositories. In the left-hand pane, select the GNUstep repository. Choose the packages you want in the right-hand pane and click Accept.
Alternatively, if you want to keep complete control over the downloading and installation of packages, proceed as follows:
Download the packages you require from the list given in the Full Contents section.
(Hint: if your web browser tries to play the RPM files in Real Player instead of downloading them, right-click on the link to the file and then choose Save Link As ... or similar from the pop-up menu).
Locate the additional, non-GNUstep packages you require. The libobjc44 package will certainly be required and is not on the openSUSE 11.2 release DVD - get it from the online repository
<http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/11.2/repo/oss/>
The WindowMaker window manager is recommended for GNUstep, but is not mandatory. In addition:
| If you wish to use ... | Then you will need package ... |
|---|---|
| PDFKit: | freetype2 |
| mknfonts: | freetype2, libxslt |
| SimpleAgenda: | libical0, libuuid1 |
| CDPlayer: | libcdaudio - from openSUSE online repository http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/11.2/repo/oss/suse/i586/ |
| MplayerGS: | MPlayer - from Packman repository - choose from the list at ftp://packman.links2linux.de/pub/packman/MIRRORS |
Install the packages by using the rpm program.
Finally, start the gdomap service in the same way as for the quick install.
For a brief introductory guide, see Getting Started with GNUstep 2.2.0.
For information about GNUstep, see the GNUstep web-site:
The following changes have been made to the contents of this release since it was first issued on 10th February 2010:
For any queries regarding the builds or packaging, contact me at: <richard@rstonehouse.co.uk>
Happy GNUstepping!
Richard Stonehouse