NetBSD Problem Report #48177

From www@NetBSD.org  Tue Sep  3 18:03:35 2013
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Date: Tue,  3 Sep 2013 18:03:34 +0000 (UTC)
From: hramrach@gmail.com
Reply-To: hramrach@gmail.com
To: gnats-bugs@NetBSD.org
Subject: the pkgsrc binary package installation instructions are lacking
X-Send-Pr-Version: www-1.0

>Number:         48177
>Category:       pkg
>Synopsis:       the pkgsrc binary package installation instructions are lacking
>Confidential:   no
>Severity:       non-critical
>Priority:       medium
>Responsible:    pkg-manager
>State:          open
>Class:          doc-bug
>Submitter-Id:   net
>Arrival-Date:   Tue Sep 03 18:05:00 +0000 2013
>Originator:     Michal Suchanek
>Release:        -
>Organization:
>Environment:
-
>Description:
Between the NetBSD guide and pkgsrc guide (referenced from NetBSD guide) there are some bits missing when it comes to setting up binary package installation.

NetBSD guide: 

> Precompiled binaries are available on the NetBSD FTP server for some ports. To install them the PKG_PATH variable needs to be adjusted in the following way (under the sh(1) shell):

> # export PKG_PATH="http://ftp.NetBSD.org/pub/pkgsrc/packages/NetBSD/<PORT>/<RELEASE-NUMBER>/All"
> # export PKG_PATH

> Where <RELEASE-NUMBER> needs to be replaced by the release number of an existing NetBSD release (for example, 5.0). <PORT> needs to be replaced by the Port name for the used architecture (for example, amd64)


It may be obvious for an experienced user what port is and what is the compatibility between different major and minor releases but for user inexperienced with NetBSD this is insufficient.

The version policy should be referenced as well as a way to obtain <PORT> on running system.

the pkgsrc guide has only this text:

> # PKG_PATH="ftp://ftp.NetBSD.org/pub/pkgsrc/packages/OPSYS/ARCH/VERSIONS/All"
> # export PATH PKG_PATH

It does not explain OPSYS ARCH and VERSION at all.

There are nice examples in /root/.profile but they are commented out (and even if they weren't it does not mean they would be effective) and it's not obvious that the user should look in that file for examples.

The pkgsrc home page has quickstart guide which has this example:

> PKG_PATH="http://ftp.NetBSD.org/pub/pkgsrc/packages/$(uname -s)/$(uname -m)/$(uname -r|cut -f '1 2' -d.)/All"
> export PKG_PATH

This is however not referenced from neither NetBSD guide nor pkgsrc guide.

>How-To-Repeat:
Try to install a  binary package following the NetBSD guide.
>Fix:
Add more examples and/or references in the guides.

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