How Do I Install Software From Cf/sd?

[snowfarthing]

I recently switched to Opie from using Sharp's ROM image.  Now that I've switched, I've wondered why, for such a long time, I was stubbornly determined to stick with the original ROM! since Opie is far more what I was wanting in a PDA operating system.

I have one major frustration with it, though:  How do I install software from my CF or SD cards (ideally to the CF or SD card in question)?  Under the Sharp ROM, there was a nice Installer/Uninstaller that would give you these options:

1)  Install Packages from CF/SD
2)  Install via network
3)  Something else (I cannot remember what exactly)

Then, when you selected a package to install, it would ask you to choose between RAM, CF, or SD for installation.

Now, I've been trying to hunt down how to install programs on Opie, and I think I may sort-of know perhaps how I might possibly install programs from feed (except that, due to limited, rather sporadic access to internet, I would have to figure out how to point the feed to a CF or SD card), but I'm still just bewildered enough to wonder whether or not I could install the files correctly...and I still have no idea how I'd be able to go about installing third-party software (such as could be found on the Zaurus Software Index)!

So I'm left with several questions:

First, why isn't there a straightforward program to install software?  (It may very well be that ipkg might be that straightforward program, but there isn't enough documentation to make this the case.)

Second, is there a manual or Howto on ipkg somewhere that I missed?  If there isn't, I'd be happy to help create one in some way...except that if I knew how to use ipkg, I wouldn't be so frustrated right now...

Third, (and this may or may not be related), I'd like to install LaTeX on my device.  I have a version compiled for the Sharp ROM which required special installation instructions (since it wasn't made into an .ipk file)...but since then, I've heard that tetex from the Debian distribution can be installed on the Zaurus under Opie.  How would I be able to get ahold of this, and how would I go about installing it?  (I would imagine that it would involve compiling at some stage.)  Knowing how to do this would open up other possibilities as well!

[lardman]

First, why isn't there a straightforward program to install software? (It may very well be that ipkg might be that straightforward program, but there isn't enough documentation to make this the case.)

The graphical package manager is currently, unfortunately, a bit broken, therefore it's recommended to use ipkg from the command line - it's far easier & better (promise!).

Second, is there a manual or Howto on ipkg somewhere that I missed? If there isn't, I'd be happy to help create one in some way...except that if I knew how to use ipkg, I wouldn't be so frustrated right now...

Try typing 'ipkg' on its own, it will tell you the options. If you want to put together a HowTo for newbies (on this site and also on oz.org preferably) I'm quite happy to explain the whole lot in detail to you - send me an email and I'll give you a shout tomorrow (s dot g dot pickering at bath dot ac dot uk).

Third, (and this may or may not be related), I'd like to install LaTeX on my device. I have a version compiled for the Sharp ROM which required special installation instructions (since it wasn't made into an .ipk file)...but since then, I've heard that tetex from the Debian distribution can be installed on the Zaurus under Opie. How would I be able to get ahold of this, and how would I go about installing it? (I would imagine that it would involve compiling at some stage.) Knowing how to do this would open up other possibilities as well!

No idea about that I'm afraid, though it may be possible to just install the Sharp 'ROM' version - can you give some more details, URLs, etc.?

I have one major frustration with it, though: How do I install software from my CF or SD cards (ideally to the CF or SD card in question)?

Might be worth putting in your HowTo too (as it can become a bit compilcated, and it's getting late for me). Remind me about this in the email.


Si

[snowfarthing]

Thanks!  I'll be sure to e-mail you for the information to write the HowTo.

With regards to LaTeX for the Sharp ROM, a link to it can be found at:

http://users.ox.ac.uk/~univ0103/z-tex/.

I also found where using the "tetex" version is mentioned.  (I was a little afraid that I wouldn't be able to find it again.)  The link is originally for familiar, but implies that it should work for the Zaurus as well:
http://www.handhelds.org/hypermail/familiar/128/12870.html

I also tried to find the original source for LaTeX, but I haven't had much success...or rather, I've been able to find a large alphabetical list for TeX packages, but have no idea where to begin cutting down the list to things I'd use for LaTeX!  (This may be where tetex would come in handy...)