Revamp README.

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Adam Spiers 2012-03-01 11:40:34 +00:00
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README
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This is GNU Stow, a program for managing the installation of software README for GNU Stow
packages, keeping them separate (/usr/local/stow/emacs vs. ===================
/usr/local/stow/perl, for example) while making them appear to be
installed in the same place (/usr/local). Stow doesn't store an extra This is GNU Stow, a symlink farm manager program which takes distinct
state between runs, so there's no danger of mangling directories when packages of software and/or data located in separate directories on
file hierarchies don't match the database. Also, stow will never the filesystem, and makes them appear to be installed in the same
delete any files, directories, or links that appear in a stow place. For example, /usr/local/bin could contain symlinks to files
directory, so it is always possible to rebuild the target tree. within /usr/local/stow/emacs/bin, /usr/local/stow/perl/bin etc., and
likewise recursively for any other subdirectories such as .../share,
.../man, and so on.
This is particularly useful for keeping track of system-wide and
per-user installations of software built from source, but can also
facilitate a more controlled approach to management of configuration
files in the user's home directory, especially when coupled with
version control systems.
Stow is implemented as a combination of a Perl script providing a CLI
interface, and a backend Perl module which does most of the work.
You can get the latest information about Stow from the home page:
http://www.gnu.org/software/stow/
License
-------
Stow is free software, licensed under the GNU General Public License,
which can be found in the file COPYING.
Installation
------------
See INSTALL for installation instructions. See INSTALL for installation instructions.
You can get the latest information about Stow from Feedback
http://www.gnu.org/software/stow/stow.html --------
Stow was inspired by Carnegie Mellon's "Depot" program, but is substantially Please do send comments, questions, and constructive criticism. The
simpler. Whereas Depot requires database files to keep things in sync, Stow mailing lists and any other communication channels are detailed on the
stores no extra state between runs, so there's no danger (as there is in above home page.
Depot) of mangling directories when file hierarchies don't match the database.
Also unlike Depot, Stow will never delete any files, directories, or links
that appear in a Stow directory (e.g., /usr/local/stow/emacs), so it's always
possible to rebuild the target tree (e.g., /usr/local).
Stow is free software, licensed under the GNU General Public License, which Brief history
can be found in the file COPYING. -------------
Please mail comments, questions, and criticisms to the current maintainers Stow was inspired by Carnegie Mellon's "Depot" program, but is
via help-stow@gnu.org or bug-stow@gnu.org. substantially simpler. Whereas Depot requires database files to keep
things in sync, Stow stores no extra state between runs, so there's no
danger (as there is in Depot) of mangling directories when file
hierarchies don't match the database. Also unlike Depot, Stow will
never delete any files, directories, or links that appear in a Stow
directory (e.g., /usr/local/stow/emacs), so it's always possible to
rebuild the target tree (e.g., /usr/local).