How to configure installed Ruby and gems?

Question

My current gem env returns:

RubyGems Environment:
  - RUBYGEMS VERSION: 1.3.6
  - RUBY VERSION: 1.8.7 (2008-08-11 patchlevel 72) [x86_64-linux]
  - INSTALLATION DIRECTORY: /home/USERNAME/.gems
  - RUBYGEMS PREFIX: /home/narkoz
  - RUBY EXECUTABLE: /usr/bin/ruby1.8
  - EXECUTABLE DIRECTORY: /home/USERNAME/.gems/bin
  - RUBYGEMS PLATFORMS:
    - ruby
    - x86_64-linux
  - GEM PATHS:
     - /home/USERNAME/.gems
     - /usr/lib/ruby/gems/1.8
  - GEM CONFIGURATION:
     - :update_sources => true
     - :verbose => true
     - :benchmark => false
     - :backtrace => false
     - :bulk_threshold => 1000
     - "gempath" => ["/home/USERNAME/.gems", "/usr/lib/ruby/gems/1.8"]
     - "gemhome" => "/home/USERNAME/.gems"
  - REMOTE SOURCES:
     - http://rubygems.org/

How can I change path /home/USERNAME/ to my own without uninstalling? OS: Debian Linux

Solution 1

Create .gemrc file in your home path. Put these lines:

gemhome: /home/CHANGE_IT_TO_USERNAME/.gems
gempath:
  - /home/CHANGE_IT_TO_USERNAME/.gems

Documentation about gem configuration file

Solution 2

I'm sorry if I've misunderstood the question but can you not just do:

export GEM_PATH=/home/myown

Maybe put it in your .bashrc.

Comments

[Dan Rosenstark]

Good question +1. I mean, basically anything about ruby gems is a good question, I think :)

[zoechi]

guides.rubygems.org/faqs/#user-install