KPorts

KPorts is a highly useful frontend to both Ports and PkgSrc, which are packaging systems that are commonly used amongst users of the free *BSDs. However, it is also available for use with other systems such as Solaris, Darwin(MacOSX), IRIX, AIX, and Interix(MS Unix Services for Windows). This package management tool is designed to be an all-purpose solution, allowing for a range of functions such as the installation, upgrading, downgrading or reinstallation of ports in any direction, from local ports directories, package sites, or from preexisting local packages (with additional support for local source tarballs being planned).

The forthcoming final release will include an update function for the ports directory/ports database. KPorts is a highly versatile and user-friendly management tool that is suitable for all BSD end-users. Easy-to-use installation wizards make it highly approachable to neophytes, while also providing a multitude of options and complete command output for more experienced users.

The installation process itself is relatively straightforward, requiring simply the extraction of the tarball followed by the execution of a few key commands in the extracted tarball’s root. These commands include # WANT_AUTOCONF_2_5="1" WANT_AUTOMAKE_1_6="1" gmake -f Makefile.cvs # ./configure --prefix=`kde-config --prefix` LDFLAGS=-pthread # gmake # gmake install (as root). Overall, whether you are new to the world of *BSDs or an experienced user seeking a comprehensive management tool, KPorts is an exceptional option that delivers in terms of versatility, ease-of-use, and reliability.