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Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage?

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On Sat, Apr 16, 2022 at 08:50:22AM -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
> A goal of the Debian installer is to create a system that can be used by
> *ALL* people to use for *ANY* possible purpose.
> 
> I find the resulting system:
>   1. consumes more disk space than necessary.
>   2. consumes excessive bandwidth during installation.
>      [I have a low monthly cap on my internet connection.]
>   3. installs packages I whose function I don't need/want.
>   4. doesn't install functions I routinely use.
>   5. installs packages that unsatisfactorily perform needed functions.
>      [I have to install additional packages.]
> 
> I plan to get around these problems by creating a local repository and
> several very custom metapackages. My internet search turned up tools to
> create and/or modify both.
> 
> I did not find authoritative descriptions of the structure of either
> repositories or metapackages.
> 
> Where do I find such?
> TIA
> 

Hi Richard,

I don't think you _need_ a full repository - but 

https://wiki.debian.org/DebianRepository/Format 

will give you a start as will 

https://wiki.debian.org/DebianRepository. 

Reprepro sounds like a good start - 

https://wiki.debian.org/PartialBackportMirrorWithPackageApproval

This appears to be a howto specifically on building a metapackage -

 https://blends.debian.org/blends/apb.html

> 

I'd suggest that you begin with a debootstrap / with a minimum Debian
installation. I'd do an expert mode text install, then use tasksel to
remove all packages that are checked - no desktop environment, no
standard packages - and build out from there.

You _will_ hit dependency problems, I can guarantee it but if you're sure
that you know absolutely what you want, you can deal with it.
If you don't want to do this over the 'Net, I'd suggest using a DVD and
a virtual machine of some description to bootstrap this effort.

All the very best, as ever,

Andy Cater

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Thread

What is a repository? What is a metapackage? Richard Owlett <rcowlett@cloud85.net> - 2022-04-16 16:10 +0200
  Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? "Andrew M.A. Cater" <amacater@einval.com> - 2022-04-16 16:30 +0200
    Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? Richard Owlett <rcowlett@cloud85.net> - 2022-04-16 21:50 +0200
      Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? "Andrew M.A. Cater" <amacater@einval.com> - 2022-04-16 22:30 +0200
        Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? The Wanderer <wanderer@fastmail.fm> - 2022-04-16 23:40 +0200
        Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? <tomas@tuxteam.de> - 2022-04-17 07:50 +0200
  Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? Andy Smith <andy@strugglers.net> - 2022-04-16 16:40 +0200
    Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk> - 2022-04-16 22:00 +0200
  Re: What is a repository? What is a metapackage? Brian <ad44@cityscape.co.uk> - 2022-04-16 22:00 +0200

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