Install Media As Repository In Package Manager

Pirut otherwise known as Package Manager in Fedora is the tool used to install, update and remove software programs. Pirut is the default Fedora GUI as of Fedora Core 5. Some users have been wanting to use the DVD/CD media as one of the repositories from Pirut. This is possible by editing few lines in your /etc/yum.repos.d/fedora.repo file. There is a nice post by Thomas Chung at http://fedoranews.org/cms/node/1055 that walks you through the steps to accomplish that objective.

This is a default feature in Fedora 8. Whenever you search for software from Pirut or Package Manager or Add/Remove Software menu, the Fedora install media is searched first. If the software program you are looking for is shipped with Fedora the system prompts you to insert the install media. If the program is found in the CD/DVD the software is installed from the media rather than downloading from the Fedora repositories online. I am happy with this feature which helps save lot of bandwidth especially when you are unsure whether the package is shipped with the install media. If you keep the install media with you when you install software shipped with Fedora media you also save lot of time. This yet another reason to upgrade to Fedora 8, if you are still using older releases of Fedora.

For some users that don't have an easy reach to the install media and have absolutely no concerns about bandwidth this feature may be rather annoying. You can turn this feature off by navigating to Edit>Preferences from the Package Manager window. The fist repository listed would be InstallMedia. Remove the check mark next to InstallMedia to disable it and click close. The system will not prompt you to insert the Fedora DVD anymore.

If you have not used Pirut before there is good user guide with screen shots at http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Tools/pirut.