RPM files

[Paul O'Malley - gnu's not unix -]

Harold Hartley wrote:
> I have gotten so use to downloading and installing APT files.
> My question is can the same software we use in ubuntu to download which, 
> can I download and install a RPM file into ubuntu with synaptic app.
> 
> Harold
> 

ye bot on irc says this

RPM is the RedHat Package Management system. Ubuntu uses !APT, not RPM. 
RPM packages are not supported (the package "alien" can allow installing 
them, but it's quite dangerous)


The reason being, it is possible that the libraries that come with the 
program, (assuming it is a program not a bundle of scripts or some 
graphics), may be different from those already installed on your system.

If this case is true then you can expect breakage on your machine, and 
you get to keep all the pieces.

It would be much better to look for the source of the program and make 
it yourself on the box.

For those who say it worked for me, please be aware that one case of not 
  obviously breaking things, count yourselves lucky, you can trash your 
box if you should choose a program with strange enough requirements.

If this latter case should befall you, a live cd mount the disk back up 
your data, start again is about the best way forward.

Always good to have your currently version system live cd available.
At this point do yourself a huge favour and back up the following directory.
/var/cache/apt/archives/*

This will save you download time, unless you have a huge pipe to the 
nearest apt repository.

Regards,

Paul