[Techtalk] RPMS vs. SRPMS vs. source

[Brenda Bell]

When I started running running Linux (Mandrake 7), I pretty much stuck to 
upgrading my system from RPMS and Mandrake Update (urpmi).  But when I 
installed 8.2 and started migrating key network services from W2K to Linux 
(Apache, qmail, LDAP, etc.), I found myself building my own source more 
often in order to have more control over my configuration.  Now I find 
myself in a bit of a "upgrade methodology" confusion.  My updates are now a 
mixed bag... e.g., sometimes RPM, sometimes source RPM and sometimes 
source... which means my RPM database isn't necessarily accurate.

I have a feeling this is one of those subjects where there is no single 
right way of doing things... but I'm curious as to how other people 
approach keeping their systems up-to-date without getting confused.  I keep 
accurate notes on what I've done, but somehow that doesn't seem to be 
enough and I often feel like I'm backing myself into a corner as I try to 
keep track of all of the dependencies.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
     Brenda
     The only Henniker on earth, NH