[SOLVED] software not in the official repos

[LNXlady]

I am surprised that Mageia does not have the same software available that Mandriva did. Coming from Mandriva, how do we find software we've been using that isn't in the official repos? I need Rednotebook in particular and have been using it in 3 diffferent distros but don't find it for Mageia.

[isadora]

First very welcome to the Mageia forum LNXlady!!!!

Yes, you are right, not all Mandriva-packages are rebuild for Mageia, yet.
Lucky for you, someone before already did a "New Package Request" for this in the BugZilla:
https://bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3156

But as we speak, Mageia is very much in need for volunteers.
So, if you see possibilities in contributing in whatever way, please don't hesitate:
https://www.mageia.org/en/contribute/

Wish you great and magical times with Mageia and it's community!!!

[LNXlady]

Lucky for you, someone before already did a "New Package Request" for this in the BugZilla:
https://bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3156

Thanks for the welcome! I may have come over too soon though, if the software I need isn't available yet. It looks like this request was made a year ago, so I shouldn't hold my breath waiting for it. I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable enough to be of any help as a volunteer. I'm still hoping someone will know where I can get Rednotebook. I've been working on a project in it for several months and really can't do without it so I'll have to switch distros if I can't find it.

[djennings]

Since rednotebook is written in python it is very easy to install without an rpm package.
There is no compiling to do. All you have to do is put the correct files in the appropriate directory, and the developers provide a script to do that for you.
Instructions are here http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~jendrikseipp/rednotebook/trunk/view/head:/README

If you want you can even run it from a folder in your home directory without installing it at all. Just uncompress the source into a folder called rednotebook and then create a menu entry pointing to /home/your_username/rednotebook/run

You will need the following mageia packages installed
python-yaml
pygtk2.0
python-webkitgtk
python-chardet

There is also a good chance the Mandriva package from 2010.2 will work (not 2011 because it uses RPM5)

[LNXlady]

Thanks, djennings. I'll try that tonight.

[macxi]

I tried installing the rpm package for Mandriva 2010.1 (rednotebook-1.1.1-1mdv2010.1.noarch.rpm) at an installation of the "Mageia 2" for test.

The dependencies were installed,

libyam
pygtk2.0
python-yaml
python-webkitgtk
python-chardet



with the package rednotebook, which has no the signature security:


Not run because not found a module: ImportError: No module named rednotebook.journal

Code: Select all

[user@localhost ~]$ rednotebook
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/rednotebook", line 11, in <module>
    import rednotebook.journal
ImportError: No module named rednotebook.journal
[mageia1-sol@localhost ~]$

Note: - To maintain Mageia stable, use only software of the official repository software - this is only a test. Only a few packages of Mandriva 2010.1 arr compatible with Mageia, in general, it is not recommended to use packages from other distributions on Mageia distro that is in production environment because it can compromise stability. The packages Mandriva 2011 and 2012 are incompatívies with Mageia.

[djennings]

macxi give the command as root

Code: Select all

ln -s /usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/rednotebook /usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/rednotebook

and the Mandriva package will work. It just needs to know which Python directory to use.

But since it is so easy to run rednotebook from any directory, personally I would use the latest version.

[LNXlady]

I tried installing the rpm package for Mandriva 2010.1 (rednotebook-1.1.1-1mdv2010.1.noarch.rpm) at an installation of the "Mageia 2" for test.

Thanks for testing that, Macxi. I'm actually finding several things not as easy or straight forward as I've become accustomed to, so I may just come back to Mageia later. I'm a lazy user.

[macxi]

Thanks for testing that, Macxi.

LNXlady,
Thanks for suggesting this application, I believe it will be helpful for me too.

macxi give the command as root

Code: Select all

ln -s /usr/lib/python2.6/site-packages/rednotebook /usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/rednotebook

and the Mandriva package will work. It just needs to know which Python directory to use.
But since it is so easy to run rednotebook from any directory, personally I would use the latest version.

Djennings,

Really very easy. Thanks for the tip

1 - I just downloaded the package rednotebook-1.5.0.tar.gz from page Rednotebook (see here and here)

The dependencies were already installed:

libyam
pygtk2.0
python-yaml
python-webkitgtk
python-chardet

2 - uncompressed the file and;

3 - I accessed a konsole (terminal - text mode) as a common user, and went in the folder of the uncompressed file rednotebook and typed: ./run

Note: An easy way to make a link to this application is to go on the desktop, click on "right-click" and select "create new", then select "Link to Aplication...". In the tab "Aplication", in "Comand", look with the browser, and in "rednotebook" folder, the file "run" and click ok.

Now, rednotebook 150 running on Mageia 2:

[LNXlady]

I've been running Rednotebook on my desktop and my laptop and keeping the saved files in dropbox (another app that is much easier to install in every other distro I've used) so they sync. Very handy app. I keep my weekly research notes in it.

[roadrunner]

Lucky for you, someone before already did a "New Package Request" for this in the BugZilla:
https://bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=3156

The only snag with doing a package request is that we then have to wait for the next Mageia release to actually get it. (That's assuming someone actually packages it)

.\\artin

[doktor5000]

Not necessarily, f.ex. packages which were available for Mandriva 2010.2 but not for Mageia 1, were imported afterwards and pushed via updates.

[LNXlady]

The only snag with doing a package request is that we then have to wait for the next Mageia release to actually get it. (That's assuming someone actually packages it)

.\\artin

And maybe not even then, since it looks like this request was made pre-Mageia 1 and we still don't have it in Mageia 2.

[doktor5000]

Well, feel free to contribute to QA team or packaging team to help make things happen faster:
http://www.mageia.org/en/contribute/

[macxi]

I've been running Rednotebook on my desktop and my laptop and keeping the saved files in dropbox (another app that is much easier to install in every other distro I've used) so they sync. Very handy app. I keep my weekly research notes in it.

LNXlady,
Do you know zim wiki? It's in the repository Mageia and it is similar to the rednotebook.

[LNXlady]

I've been running Rednotebook on my desktop and my laptop and keeping the saved files in dropbox (another app that is much easier to install in every other distro I've used) so they sync. Very handy app. I keep my weekly research notes in it.

LNXlady,
Do you know zim wiki? It's in the repository Mageia and it is similar to the rednotebook.

Thanks, but I already use Rednotebook on my other computer and don't want to switch. I've already replaced Mageia with another distro for now. There were just too many little things that were taking way longer than they should to figure out. Things that should be, and are, easier in other distros. That isn't meant as a criticism. I realize you're just getting going good here and I think you're doing great. I'm just in a hurry to get things done at the moment and can't afford the extra time to hunt things down. I'll be back when things are further along.

[macxi]

Thanks

I like the similarity between the structure of rednotebook and zim wiki. Both have similar structure editing wiki.
Thanks, Indirectly you introduced me to this software. I enjoyed getting to know the rednotebook and am trying to learn how to use it.

I'll be back

Yes, see you soon. Mageia 3 is already being tested and coming soon

[LNXlady]

Yes, see you soon. Mageia 3 is already being tested and coming soon

I'll be keeping an eye on it!

[doktor5000]

Thanks, but I already use Rednotebook on my other computer and don't want to switch. I've already replaced Mageia with another distro for now. There were just too many little things that were taking way longer than they should to figure out. Things that should be, and are, easier in other distros. That isn't meant as a criticism.

Can you please list those issues here for reference so we actually have a chance to fix them?

[LNXlady]

Thanks, but I already use Rednotebook on my other computer and don't want to switch. I've already replaced Mageia with another distro for now. There were just too many little things that were taking way longer than they should to figure out. Things that should be, and are, easier in other distros. That isn't meant as a criticism.

Can you please list those issues here for reference so we actually have a chance to fix them?

[LNXlady]

Well, they weren't things that were necessarily broken, just much more trouble than they should have been for a distro that claims to be new user friendly. It took forever to get flash working. I read the whole 4 page thread on how to do it and that just doesn't work. I didn't bother to post asking for help, because whenever someone in that thread said it didn't work for them they were just told that they weren't following instructions (that also left a very negative impression). The instructions are incomplete. You get an error message saying the package is old and has been removed. I did get it working, but not thanks to that thread. Someone in that thread said they couldn't understand why so many people were having issues getting flash installed and working. It's because when they follow the instructions to the letter, it doesn't work and if they ask for further help, they are treated poorly!
Installing dropbox in every other distro I've used is simply a matter of choosing it from the software packager. Here, I couldn't even find it until I searched the forum and found that it was named something else, Then there was a long page of instructions on how to get it to work.
There was the inconvenience of not finding the applications I expected to find, ect. There were a couple more little issues but it was several days ago and I can't remember all of it now. Very short term memory here, LOL! Nothing broken, just lots of little frustrations that I don't have time for right now. Sorry to sound so negative. I do think it is going to be a great distro with a little more time.

[doktor5000]

Well, they weren't things that were necessarily broken, just much more trouble than they should have been for a distro that claims to be new user friendly. It took forever to get flash working. I read the whole 4 page thread on how to do it and that just doesn't work. I didn't bother to post asking for help, because whenever someone in that thread said it didn't work for them they were just told that they weren't following instructions (that also left a very negative impression). The instructions are incomplete. You get an error message saying the package is old and has been removed. I did get it working, but not thanks to that thread. Someone in that thread said they couldn't understand why so many people were having issues getting flash installed and working. It's because when they follow the instructions to the letter, it doesn't work and if they ask for further help, they are treated poorly!

Well, i've not seen one user who was treated poorly, can you please give me some links for reference?
Actually i'm the one who wrote that MAQeia for Flash you refer to, and even helped doing some updates for flash-player-plugin package in the past,
and also doing the major part of flash troubleshooting here in the forums. What you described also happened in another thread:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3558

So, was that user treated poorly, or was it really troublesome for him? If you setup your repositories correctly,
getting flash ready is just a matter of installing one package, and nothing else needs to be done.

[LNXlady]

Well, i've not seen one user who was treated poorly, can you please give me some links for reference?
Actually i'm the one who wrote that MAQeia for Flash you refer to, and even helped doing some updates for flash-player-plugin package in the past,
and also doing the major part of flash troubleshooting here in the forums. What you described also happened in another thread:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3558

So, was that user treated poorly, or was it really troublesome for him? If you setup your repositories correctly,
getting flash ready is just a matter of installing one package, and nothing else needs to be done.

No, that thread was actually helpful, but new users are going to go straight to the tutorial in the faq, not to that thread. The problem is that when you enable the nonfree-release repo, it automatically ticks the update box for nonfree-updates but not the first box since you normally would only use the updates repo for updates. But the flash instructions don't work if you don't also tick that first box for the nonfree-updates repo (one would not normally do this) and that information is not included anywhere in the tutorial. I'm not going to re-read all 4 pages to find the instances I found rude, but when you repeatedly tell someone who is asking for help that they did not follow the tutorial (which they did) and the problem is them and you don't try to help them figure out the problem, that is not new user friendly. It was enough to keep me from posting. Since I was having the exact same issue, I figured I'd get the same unhelpful response. I was able to find the problem and get it working, but I believe that poster gave up and went to another distro. I don't want to start an argument, I'm just answering the questions I was asked. It's JMHO. Certainly, people have tried to be helpful on the issue I did post, and I appreciate that.

[doktor5000]

Well, the initial repository setup is a separate issue, and by itself has not much to do with flash player.
You may want to look at https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Software_management

Otherwise, if you would have asked in the first place, what the default repo setup should be, then you wouldn't have had your flash problem, correct?
Your deduction chain is a bit flawed there. But i agree with you, and have added a note about neccessary prerequisites to the MAQeia for flash.
Thanks for the constructive criticism.

[LNXlady]

Well, the initial repository setup is a separate issue, and by itself has not much to do with flash player.
You may want to look at https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Software_management

Otherwise, if you would have asked in the first place, what the default repo setup should be, then you wouldn't have had your flash problem, correct?
Your deduction chain is a bit flawed there. But i agree with you, and have added a note about neccessary prerequisites to the MAQeia for flash.
Thanks for the constructive criticism.

And I'm beginning to see why you have that disclaimer in your signature. Best of luck to Mageia. Unsubbing.