Fedora 4 Needed / Unneeded packages

[Robin Laing]

Randall J. Berry wrote:
> 	Hello,
> 
> I've been messing about with Fedora Core 4 for a few months now. On my
> first install I just clicked 'everything' and let it roll. Now I've
> gotten to know which packages I need and which I don't need. I'm
> contemplating doing a wipe and reload based on these findings. I've
> noticed one thing tho. There seems to be some packages that are not
> removable from the install options and a ton of packages that to the
> best of my knowledge I never use. Yet I seem to be stuck installing
> them anyway due to the endless loop of dependencies or simply no
> option to turn them off at install. Even after install when trying to
> remove packages I don't need I seem to get stuck in the same infinite
> dependency loop. Typical examples are Evolution, and the Mozilla suite
> I never use. I use F~bird and T~Bird instead. Yet I can't seem get rid
> of them! These are just a few examples there are many more.
> 
> I'm trying to set up a typical graphical/multimedia Gnome Desktop with
> the full suite of developmental packages such as GCC, Automake,
> gnome-devel and the like. Server Admin and a limited amount server
> requirements. HTTPd, MySQL, POP/IMAP, SMTP, SPAMd, ClamAV and FTPd. As
> well as Webmin and an IRCd with Services. (added after install)
> 
> The Server features are used strictly for local development before
> sending them to remote servers for public access. Yet I'm stuck
> installing tons of other packages like PostgreSQL, is just one example
> of those that seem to be dead weight.
> 
> I know I'm stepping out on a limb here but is there any easy way to
> install what I need and get rid of what I don't need? An install
> method that does not require constant babysitting to install each
> package manually. Can this be done?
> 
> TIA
> 

Use Yumex if you are not comfortable with rpm.  That is what I do and I 
am happy with it.

For packages that are required by other packages, then I take the time 
to learn why they are dependent.  I ran into a nightmare using a repo 
once that lead me to this.

-- 
Robin Laing