With all these problems, and the need to have the homegrown server running something stable I've decided on Debian Stable for the re-install. I'll be doing this with backports as that way I can at least grab the latest releases without damaging the core stable system; as it'll be sitting in colo I really don't want to drive down there every weekend to kick it back into gear.

Debian can be grabbed from here, note most people have never needed anything but the first dvd or first one or two cd iso's for a basic install so no need to grab everything.

Backports are available here, this at least gives the ability to keep up to date with more specific packages while not damaging the core system.

Fingers crossed this should be the final time I do a rebuild before it goes to colo.

[update]

server running a lot better, since I made the switch to Debian; won't be long now till it's taken down to colo.

Following on from my previous article concerning using MacPorts to install system software easily on your Mac, in this article I'll guide you thru install Subversion and all it's dependencies under Apple's Leopard O/S.

Update MacPorts

First off you don't have to install MacPorts with Leopard as it comes pre-installed, but you do need to update it.

So in Terminal run...

sudo port -v selfupdate

Perfect that should update the stock 1.5 build to the latest 1.6 release.

SVN Dependencies

Now to installing Subversion's dependencies, without these Subversion will not build. So in Terminal run...

sudo port install sqlite3
sudo port install apr-util
sudo port install neon

Excellent, you should now be ready to install Subversion 1.4.6 from source via MacPorts

Finally Subversion

Just run...

sudo port install subversion

Should install ok leaving you with the latest binary build of Subversion on your Apple machine.

What about a GUI ?

Ok, as most people don't really like using SVN from the command-line, you can download a mac gui interface to it at...

• SvnX for OSX

More MacPorts are available at...

• MacPorts Project

Handy Tip

Before I go you can find out the location of a piece of software via the 'which' command.

which svn

Should return the path where it's installed.