Questions such as App availability, SELinux, codecs, plugins, etc.

[slooksterpsv]

Hello Fedora Users,

I'm considering making a switch from Ubuntu/Linux Mint to Fedora 15 because I just adore, love, cannot be without Gnome Shell any longer haha.

Anyways I have a bunch of questions, so don't mind me, let's start with the toughest:

1. SELinux - I actually am finding I hate this program as it blocks certain plugins (like Java), some programs I run it blocks functionality, etc. What's the best way to disable it or make it more like Ubuntu where it's pretty much permissive of everything.

2. Common Apps I use - I haven't checked the repos, but at the least I use the following (some I know work, but I can't remember the specific ones I want to know if I need to compile or if it's in the repos)
a - Snes9x
b - PCSX Reloaded
c - KeepNote
d - libdvdcss2 and libdvdread4
e - MP4, MP3, AVI, MPEG, OGG, OGV codecs (I think I've converted any others like WMA and WMV... wait I have a few WMA files, crap)
f - Flash 64-bit - this one I have issues with SELinux wise, (reason for first question)
g - VirtualBox - it runs so much faster under Fedora so I know this one works
h - Sun Java

3. RPMs - Fedora uses RPMs right? Is there like an DEB Alien to convert DEBs to RPMs?

4. Apache2 - Now maybe I found this as httpd or lightppd or something, but why isn't it listed as Apache2 in the repos?

5. I'm more or less guessing that Fedora is not a "rolling" release, is there a variant or version that is or a repo I can enable?

6. A software center, other than Synaptic; I'm pampered when it comes to Ubuntu Software Center and that, is there anything like that in Fedora that isn't Synaptic?

7. What's the terminal command for installing packages, is it zypper or is that OpenSuSE?

I think that's all, but if I can get at least #1 and #6 mainly answered the rest I could at least figure out later.

[glennzo]

I can answer a few of the questions with a fair amount of intelligence.

1. Under Fedora 15 SeLinux hasn't bothered me one bit. Left in an "out-of-the-box" state It doesn't interfere with my daily usage of my system. It can, if you wish, be disabled or set to permissive.
2. Most of the apps you list are available in the repositories. 64 bit flash seems to be working well on my F15 system. There is a thread here detailing how to install it properly. The majority of the codecs are covered. VirtualBox is available and works well.
3. Fedora uses RPM. Converting to DEB is generally not recommended based on what I've read. I believe that you run into a lot of dependency issues, but it can be done with a program called alien.
4. Apache (httpd) is included as part of the default installation. It is turned off by default.
5. Rolling release? Beats me. I couldn't even define "rolling release" but I think I've seen it mentioned here once or twice.
6. The closest thing to a software center is yumex, the graphical front end to yum, but it's nothing like the software center. you're used to. It's simply a front end and nothing more.
7. yum install <packagename>. Run as root or with sudo / su -c.

Install Fedora and join in the fun. It keeps you on your toes. As one member here states in their signature, "If you break it you get to keep both pieces", or something like that.

Hope this helps.

[slooksterpsv]

Originally Posted by glennzo

...
3. Fedora uses RPM. Converting to DEB is generally not recommended based on what I've read. I believe that you run into a lot of dependency issues, but it can be done with a program called alien.
...

Thank you for your response in regards to #3 though, you got it backwards. I know alien converts RPMs to DEBs but I was wondering if there's a revers so DEB to RPM.

[glennzo]

Is that what it does? Good thing I prefaced my post with "I can answer a few of the questions with a fair amount of intelligence."

[RahulSundaram]

Originally Posted by slooksterpsv

Thank you for your response in regards to #3 though, you got it backwards. I know alien converts RPMs to DEBs but I was wondering if there's a revers so DEB to RPM.

Alien can do both. However it is not recommended. If you find anything you need not packaged, ask explicitly for what you are looking for.

[nsnbm]

Hello slooksterpsv,

If you have absolutely no need of selinux you can completely disable it by appending: selinux=0 to your kernel line in /boot/grub/grub.conf. Ben.

[slooksterpsv]

Looks like the ISO is corrupt so got to dl it again via torrent

[markkuk]

Originally Posted by slooksterpsv

4. Apache2 - Now maybe I found this as httpd or lightppd or something, but why isn't it listed as Apache2 in the repos?

The package name is httpd, because that's what the Apache Foundation calls their HTTP server. See the Fedora Package Naming Guidelines.