Any safe way to install .deb files?

[evervigilant]

I'm thinking about using alien or possibly installing dpkg via Synaptic in order to do this.  Normally, I would just check Synaptic or seek out an RPM.  However, in this case what I'm interested in installing is the Palm WebOS SDK, which Palm has only put out as a .deb.

Alternatively, anyone have recommendations on the best way I can carefully put the actual files from the .deb into the right places around the system after extracting the .deb with Ark?

Many thanks,
Greg

[Linuzoid]

You can put in a package request in the Package Suggest category, I would think that would be your best bet. Outside packages can render your system unstable and even unbootable.

[evervigilant]

I'll try to put in a request as you suggest, but since the source isn't available, I'm not sure whether they'll be able to build an RPM.  I think there may also be a licensing issue, as I believe everyone who downloads/installs the SDK is supposed to register.

I'm certainly aware of the possibility of borking one's system by working with non-repository apps, but looking over the files suggests that they're not overwriting anything, but only making additions.  Mostly everything appears to belong in /opt, with just a few symlinks to those programs that are dropped into /usr/local/bin (and a couple docs in /usr/share).  Post install script appears to add a couple harmless entries for "qemu" and "device" into /etc/hosts/ - nothing I'm seeing that should break anything significant.

Anyone have experience with this sort of thing?

[edit]Okay, it also installs a couple Python libraries that can probably be installed via Synaptic in the normal fashion if I don't already have them.[/edit]

[Bald Brick]

I think this thread belongs in the Advanced Users Section, partly because that would increase the OP's chances of getting an answer, and partly because there it wouldn't tempt new users to try installing .deb packages in PCLinuxOS.

[evervigilant]

Good point, blackbird.  If a mod sees this and happens to have a chance to move it to Advanced, I'd appreciate it.  Sorry for putting it here in the first place.

[kjpetrie]

I would use a virtual machine if I wanted to do something like that. Then if it goes wrong or can't be upgraded it doesn't matter so much.

[Was_Just19]

Seems like a job for alien and a test install to see what happens afterwards.
Alien is in the repository.

regards.

[muungwana]

do you have a link to the debian package? somebody can look at it and see what it might or might not do to your system and may advise accordingly

[evervigilant]

Thanks for the recommendations.  I'm thinking alien with a test install might be a good idea.

The .deb package is here if anyone wants to take a look at it:  http://developer.palm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=page&id=1585&Itemid=55 under #5.

[Dadster]

  Won't kpackage handle debs?

[cidtux]

i install alien, dpkg & rpmbuild.
install debian package.. btanks-data_0.7.5800-1_all.deb. (btanks.sourceforge.com)
convert to rpm with alien.. & work on pclinuxos 

you can install kernel debian packages too, but very unstable & some dkms cannot work...


now, deb packages 9.10 using lzma compression, so cannot be converted with alien.

 

[headlite]

No. You're better off getting the source and compiling, then installing to /usr/local or /opt