On the php|architect A/R/T article repository today, there's two new articles posted, both on the same topic - "Using the PEAR Installer" - parts one and two (as written by Tobias Schlitt).

In part one, he introduces the PEAR installer - how it works, how to use it, and what you'll need to get started. He gives sample commands to pull in new package information and discover new PEAR channels. He even includes a sample application to get you started with the basics and to have something to follow along with in the packaging process.

In part two he picks right back up from the previous part, focusing this time on the post-install functionality of the installer - using the scripts to set variables and information up following the extraction of the application. Code examples are included, and the "final steps" of creating the package are given. In the end, you should have a nicely little bundled set of scripts with a simple, powerful post-installation setup.