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

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On 04/16/2022 09:21 AM, Andrew M.A. Cater wrote:
> 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

Agreed! *GRIN*
What I _need_ is something that apt/aptitude/synaptic/etc will treat as 
a "normal" repository. As to its _content_, it will be a close 
approximation to DVD1.iso .

In fact, if I had fully described what I wish to accomplish, the 
automatic response of this group would have been to use either apt-cache 
or loop mount DVD1.iso .


> 
> https://wiki.debian.org/DebianRepository/Format
> 
> will give you a start as will
> 
> https://wiki.debian.org/DebianRepository.

The later addresses my perspective. If my project is to succeed, I will 
NEED the former's content.

> 
> Reprepro sounds like a good start -
> 
> https://wiki.debian.org/PartialBackportMirrorWithPackageApproval

THAT page suggests that "Reprepro" is irrelevant.
*HOWEVER*
   https://packages.debian.org/bullseye/reprepro
            and
   https://manpages.debian.org/bullseye/reprepro/reprepro.1.en.html
seem to say otherwise ;}

> 
> This appears to be a howto specifically on building a metapackage -
> 
>   https://blends.debian.org/blends/apb.html

That is one of the pages I had found.
I was looking for a page with perspective more similar to the 
"Repository" pages you referenced.

> 
>>
> 
> 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.

*GRIN*
That's where I started in days of Squeeze.
It raised the questions I wish to answer.

> 
> You _will_ hit dependency problems, I can guarantee it

*I _AGREE_* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have hit them.
Part of my motivation is to reproducibly demonstrate an installer 
*BUG*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

> 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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