What's the best way to learn RPM packaging?

[Joseph Areeda]

Hi,

I'm finding myself in the situation where it would be nice to be able to 
package our apps or backport newer versions of some apps to work with 
modules on SL6.

I've found lots of things on the web that are either too single minded 
or incomprehensible.

If you remember how you learned to create RPMs, I'd appreciate some 
advice on how to get going.  Good books, tutorials or websites.  The 
reference documentation is NOT a good place to start, necessary, but not 
a good cover to cover read, at least not yet.

We have people in the collaboration that can do it but they are so 
overwhelmed only critical things get done.  It would be nice if I could 
do things that are important to me.

Thanks,
Joe