rtkmerge is a graphical user interface tool designed to manage Gentoo's package system.
Instead of having to update all underperforming packages or spending time manually blocking updates, RTKMerge will present users with a list of all outdated packages that need attention. From there, users can effortlessly select which packages they want and do not want to update. This feature enables users to merge all outdated packages separately, which is beneficial as it allows the user to set different USE-flags for different programs. This can be handy when you want to install different programs, each with specific support.
While RTKMerge is designed specifically with the "merge world" command in mind, it can also be useful for merging individual packages. Any argument that you input while using RTKMerge will be sent to "emerge" when creating the list of packages. However, you should note that these options are not used when "emerge" is called the second time for actual merging.
When it comes to handling dependencies, RTKMerge doesn't do it itself. As such, you should always click the pretend button to find out which packages will be installed, even if the package is unchecked. If a package remains unchecked and is dependent on some package that is checked, then the unchecked package may still be installed. The program also does not include any hackable code that lets you change this process.
The latest version of RTKMerge can work with the latest portage (2.0.51), and the positive USE-flags feature has been updated to not have + in front. Additionally, the new feature ensures that file sizes do not appear as flags. A reasonable usage of RTKMerge might include inputting "RTKMerge world -u --deep" or "RTKMerge ruby." The options -p and -v are always set. Overall, RTKMerge is a must-have software for Gentoo Linux users who want to easily select and update outdated packages.
Version 1.8.0: N/A