4.7 Dealing with BrokenPorts

If you come across a port that does not work for you, there are a few things you cando, including:

1. Fix it! The Porter'sHandbook includes detailed information on the ``Ports'' infrastructure so that youcan fix the occasional broken port or even submit your own!

2. Gripe--by email only! Send emailto the maintainer of the port first. Type make maintainer orread the Makefile to find the maintainer's email address.Remember to include the name and version of the port (send the $FreeBSD: line from the Makefile) and theoutput leading up to the error when you email the maintainer. If you do not get aresponse from the maintainer, you can use send-pr(1) to submit abug report.

3. Grab the package from an FTP site near you. The ``master'' package collection is onftp.FreeBSD.org in the packagesdirectory, but be sure to check your local mirror first! These are more likely to work than trying to compilefrom source and are a lot faster as well. Use the pkg_add(1) program toinstall the package on your system.