Modules? slapt, rpm, etc...

[Windozer]

Hi,

is there a good resource for understanding the differences in module loading tools across various distros?  I love Vector, but I'd also like to understand, for example, why RPM is used in Red Hat, but slapt (gslapt ... apt?) is used in Vector. Is slapt unique to Vector or to Slackware?

Is it difficult to get an RPM module into Vector?  Sorry, I can imagine this is a pretty common question... I did search, but didn't find much on it.


thanks a lot,
Howard in Florida
(GO VECTOR!)

[lagagnon]

I guess you mean "package loading tools", because a module in Unix/Linux is a kernal driver routine. RPM's can sometimes be used in VL by running the Slackware package through the command line tool "rpm2tgz". They often work just fine.

Indeed, the different packaging systems in the various distros is confusing to newbies, essentially they are: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_package_formats

[Windozer]

Iagagnon,

thanks much for the very prompt reply!

[... ] different packaging systems in the various distros is confusing to newbies

Yes, newbie would be me, as I didn't even realize that a module is different from a package!  OK then, is a package always, non-kernal? Actually, I am interested in the kernal module features: my ultimate aim is to learn how to write my own device drivers and recompile the kernal.  (A reformed Window's guy here, who actually started out on BSD, and AT&TV --- wow, back to the future, or what!?)

Thanks too for the link ... I'll dig around there ... hadn't thought of wiki...

cheers,
-H

[bigpaws]

Here is a good start:

http://kernelnewbies.org/

HTH

Bigpaws

[Windozer]

HTH

YTDH !
(Yes That Does Help )

thanks much, Bigpaws

- Howard

[Windozer]

A Follow up ...

Bigpaws - the kernal newbies site is *exactly* the place for me now.

thanks again!

- H