Tar Dist:

The Tar Dist Format:

Tardist is a new web-based software distribution format for SGI workstations. With a single button click, you can download, unpack, install, and save for later re-use a software sub-system over the Internet. Basically, a tardist file is a tar-archive of an installation image. The .tardist file extension is used in conjunction with your web browsers mime.types and mailcap files to launch the tardist helper application.

If you are running the Netscape browser on an SGI workstation, the Web Installation tools should already be installed.

• Tardist support is included by default on IRIX 6.2.

If you are running a web browser on a non-SGI machine, you'll have to do some of the following steps manually:

• Select the tardist link.
• Download the file to local disk.
  • May need to shorten file extension for DOS, e.g. file.tardist -> file.tar
• Copy the tar-archive to an SGI workstation or network accessible filesystem.
• Extract the tar-archive.
  • > tar xvf file.tardist
• Execute the Software Manager.
  • > su
  • # swmgr -f .