When launching Rpmdrake you have to wait a few seconds while the package databases are scanned. Then you are presented with Rpmdrake's main interface.
Package Set. Use this pulldown list to select the types of package to be displayed: all of them (installed or not); Mandriva Linux choices (instead of displaying all packages, display only Mandriva recommendations); only installed ones (to be uninstalled); only uninstalled ones (to be installed); a few options for updated packages (all updates, security fixes, bug fixes, normal updates); and backported packages containing software adapted from other releases of Mandriva Linux. Each time a package set is selected, the Categories Tree is rebuilt to display matching packages.
Package Search. If you are not sure about a package name, description, or content[8] (the files it provides), use this facility to search for it. Type the string to be searched for, select the criterion using the pulldown list, and click .
Categories Tree. To ease management, packages are classified into categories (Networking, Office, Games, Development, Graphics, etc.). Open a category to display packages which match the current criteria set using Package Set and Package Search.
Package List. Where currently matching packages (Set, Category and Search Criteria) are displayed. This is where you select packages to take actions on them.
Package Details. Displays details about the currently selected package in the Package List.
Procedure 7.1. Performing Actions on Packages
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Limit List of Packages Displayed
Use the Package Set pulldown list, the Categories Tree and, optionally, the Package Search facility to browse for packages to be installed or removed.
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Select Packages
In the Package List, select packages by checking their corresponding box. If the checkbox by the package name is empty, it means that the package can be installed, once selected it will be marked with the
icon. If the checkbox by the package name has the 
icon, it means the package is already installed, select it for removal and it will be marked with the 
icon.![[Note]](images/note.png)
Note You may notice that some packages are marked with a lock
icon. These are “base” packages which cannot be removed because one would end up with a broken system, their checkboxes cannot be unselected. -
Apply Changes
Once you are satisfied with your choices, click on to perform the actual installation or removal of packages. You are asked for confirmation, then a new window appears, where you can see the progress of the actions being taken. If you prefer to leave without doing anything, you can click on .
It may happen that you select a package which requires dependencies (additional libraries or another tool) or which is a dependency of other packages. In this case Rpmdrake displays an information window allowing you to choose whether to accept the selected dependencies, to the operation, or to get on the operation (see Figure 7.3, “Dependency Alert Box”).
Alternative Dependencies. You may also want to install a package which requires dependencies, and various packages which are capable of providing that dependency. The list of alternatives is then presented (see Figure 7.4, “Alternative Packages”). You may read the additional information presented by clicking the button to help you choose the best alternative.
[8] If your software media repositories are configured to use the synthesized package lists (the summary synthesis files, not the full hdlist ones) you will not be able to look for the package providing a given file. You will only be able to search for package names and descriptions.