Last updated: January 9, 2010
titel ?
Getting Started
1. Introduction
2. Switching to GNU/Linux
3. Getting openSUSE
4. Installation

Day to Day Use
5. Desktop Environment (KDE)
6. Common Tasks
7. Security and Root
8. Terminal
9. Administrator Settings (YaST)
10. Installing Software
11. Software Repositories
12. MS Windows Interop

Setup
13. Multimedia Codecs
14. Browser Plugins
15. 3D Drivers

Appendix
A: Getting Help
B: Wireless
C: Games
D. History and Background
E: Getting Involved
GNU Free Documentation License
11. Software Repositories
As mentioned in the previous chapter, the package manager installs software by fetching packages from software repositories, therefore the software available for easy installation via the package manager depends on the configured repositories.

A software repository is a collection of RPM packages (the openSUSE packaging format) and metadata for the available packages. Usually repositories are on online servers, but it can also be CD/DVD or other media.

11.1 Managing Repositories
Respositories are managed via YaST.
Kickoff menu => Computer tab => YaST => Software => Software Repositories

repos

If you wish to use online repositories instead of using the DVD, disable the DVD as a repository here.

11.1.1 Adding Repositories
The official repositories are pre-configured, but more can be added. The easiest way is this:
Kickoff menu => Computer tab => YaST => Software => Software Repositories => Click on "Add" => Select "Community Repositories" and click "Next"



This downloads a list of selected repositories for you to choose from. However many more repositories exist.

Note! Add repositories with care. Unofficial repositories are unsupported and may hold experimental software and untested packages which can lead to various problems. Also some unofficial repositories may not be compatible with each other.

The openSUSE BuildService is a service for the community to build and share packages. openSUSE BuildService repositories are unsupported. Use at your own risk!

You should always have the three official repositories (which are configured out of the box).
Additionally I recommend adding the following unofficial repositories for having a good balance of software availability and reliability for most users. Of course different users have different needs.
TIP! If you need a package not available in your configured repositories, search for it here:
http://packages.opensuse-community.org

If you need some software and no package/repository exists for it, go to the website of the software and follow the installation instructions on the site or included in the download - but always look for an openSUSE package first.

11.2 Repository Management in the Terminal
If you wish, you can manage your repositories via a terminal too.

Add a repository with auto-refresh enabled 'zypper ar --refresh [URL] [Alias]'. Example:
zypper ar --refresh http://ftp.skynet.be/pub/packman/suse/11.2/ Packman

Disable a repository 'zypper mr --disable [URL|Alias]'. Example:
zypper mr --disable Packman

Remove a repository 'zypper rr [URL|Alias]'. Example:
zypper rr http://ftp.skynet.be/pub/packman/suse/11.2/

List configured repositories, showing details (priorities, URL, etc.):
zypper lr -d

See 'man zypper' for more.
man zypper

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