Preventing specific packages from getting installed in Gentoo?

Question

I want to install some package with not very useful dependencies (for example I want xorg-x11 without any xterm, xclock etc) and when I try to put dependencies in package.mask portage just complains about masked packages instead of ignoring them.

I think I had a solution for this but I'm forgetting it every time.

If my answer helped, you might want to mark it as the accepted answer, to help future google visitors — Bill Weiss, Jul 08 '09 at 05:57

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 18 '09 at 20:54

6

/etc/portage/package.mask will keep packages from being installed if they are optional. Otherwise they'll just block installation.

You probably want to find use flags for what you're looking for.

In the case of xorg-x11, it's a meta package that pulls in lots of stuff. You could install the dependencies by themselves if that's all you want.

answered Jun 18 '09 at 20:54

Bill Weiss

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There's a name I recognise from the past. Have an upvote. – Dan Carley Jun 18 '09 at 22:16
Thanks! From the Gentoo forums, I assume? – Bill Weiss Jun 22 '09 at 14:54

Preventing specific packages from getting installed in Gentoo?

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