G'day folks, I thought that by using "urpmi " command it would not only install the app but all it's dependencies as well. Obviously, I am wrong. Is there a way to install an application AND it's dependencies automatically? Thanks, Andrew.

No, you are right, URPMI does auto resolve dependancies.

Then I must be doing something wrong. For example, I want to install sylpheed (email prog). I d/l it to my local drive, typed "urpmi sylpheed-0.9.3-1mkd.i586.rpm" and it tells me it cannot install because some dependencies are missing... Anyone?? P.S. On a side note, what's the difference between an i586 rpm and an src rpm? Which should i be using to install the appropriate program? Thanks, Andrew.

You need to setup all the sources as well in order to use urpmi. If you are using mandrake, just use the software manager to set the up. There is a urpmi command you can use to do the same thing as well as edit a text file....can't remember the names though. i586 RPMs are ready compiled binaries for i586 PCs (eg pentium 3's etc). src RPMs contain just the source for you to compile yourelf. If installed these generally unpack to somewhere under /usr/src/ from where you can do a make, make install etc. Alternatively a useful switch is --rebuild which creates an RPM based on your system from the src RPM which you can then install as you would any other, eg: # rpm --rebuild package.src.rpm then # rpm -ivh /usr/src/RPM/i586/package.rpm

The command urpmi will install and check all packages/dependencies that you have configured via software souces. I believe that you are either entering the wrong command (ie. urpmi sylpheed-0.9.3-1mdk.i586.rpm instead of urpmi sylpheed) or that you need to do some more reading about urpmi ;-). Here's a site to check out: http://www.zebulon.org.uk/urpmi_en.html If you haven't already set up any sources, do so: http://plf.zarb.org/~nanardon/index.php You might be missing out on many great packages and an easier way to install them. Also see my response to this post: http://computing.net/linux/wwwboard/forum/21791.html By all means, if your more comfortable with the CLI, you can still "urpmi package_name" from a console and it will solve those dreaded dependency issues we all face :P. Mandrake is one of the easiest distros to install packages and after updating your sources(if haven't done so already), it should be a walk in the park on a sunny day. Have fun! estatik