In my last post I described (briefly) how to get and install applications software that is contained in the Ubuntu "repository."

Your distribution's official repository contains software "packages" which have been built for, and tested with, your distribution. And these are usually the easiest applications to uninstall, and to keep updated, as well. So when possible you should get your applications from there. But sometimes you will find Linux software on the Internet that you want to use, which has not been added to the repository. Generally speaking, this can come four ways:

2a. software distributed in package format (.deb or .rpm)

Sometimes a software author will customize the software for your distribution, and even create a "package" file for automatic installation, but not add that software to the repository. For example, if you visit the Opera browser download page, you can see downloads for several different Linux distributions. If you choose a Debian-based distribution (which includes Ubuntu), you'll get a ".deb" package file. If you choose a distribution using the Red Hat package format you'll get an ".rpm" file. Simply download the correct file and save it on your hard disk.

To my (limited) knowledge, basic Ubuntu does not provide a graphical program to install .deb files. So you'll have to launch a "terminal" window -- click "Applications," "Accessories," "Terminal" -- and type two command lines. Using Opera as an example:



...where the "cd" command should specify whatever directory you saved the Opera .deb file to. "sudo dpkg" will ask for the Administrator password. The package will be installed, and should get added to the menus.

In some Linux systems, you can use the File Manager and navigate to the download directory, then double-click on the package file. That will start the package installer for that file. (This is how I installed packages back when I used Red Hat Linux.) I haven't tried this with Ubuntu.

2b. software in executable binary form

Some software will come precompiled for Linux, but not in your distribution's package format. For example, if you download Firefox directly from the Mozilla Project, you'll get a precompiled file and a long list of installation instructions. Usually those instructions tell you to put the file in some specified directory (such as /usr/bin), and then it will execute from the command line. Note that you will have to use the dreaded terminal window, and type some Linux commands, to do this installation.

Programs installed this way will not automatically be added to your Applications menu. You'll need to use the menu editor, and add it yourself. And that's a subject for a subsequent post.

Incidentally, I'm just using Firefox as a well-known example. The preferred installation method for Firefox (a.k.a. "IceWeasel") is from the repository.

2c. software which includes an installer

This is a variation of #2b. Some software will come precompiled for Linux, but not ready to run "out of the box." Instead, the file that you download also contains an installer program that takes care of the details. The instructions will tell you where to put this file, and how to execute it.

The most recent example I have at hand is the Seamonkey Internet suite. You unpack the archive, and run the "seamonkey-installer" program once. Then you can run the "seamonkey" program.

It's possible that the installer will add the program to your Applications menu...but don't count on it. Here, too, you'll probably need to use the menu editor.

2d. software which must be compiled from source code

It's a fair bit of work for a developer to either (a) compile and package a Linux application for a dozen different distributions, or (b) design the application in such a way that it will run without customization on a dozen different distributions. Big open-source projects can do this. Small projects cannot. So if you're looking for a less-popular application, you may not find a package or a precompiled binary. In this case, you need to download the source code and run it through a compiler on your own computer.

The good news is, this really isn't that difficult, if you know how to use the terminal window. Here's a good writeup on the procedure (thanks to Charles C. for sending me the link).

One prerequisite that frequently doesn't get mentioned: to compile from source code, you will need the C-language compiler, "gcc". This program is invariably either (a) included with your distribution, or (b) available directly from your distribution's repository. I believe this is included with all versions of Ubuntu.

I received a query through the "Contact Us" link on this web page, asking "how can I get application software for Linux operating system (Ubuntu)". Alas, the inquirer failed to provide a return email address, so I'll have to respond publicly. It's a good question.

My unknown correspondent was right to specify which Linux (Ubuntu), because the procedure is still slightly different for each Linux distribution. Also, there are three sources of Linux applications, which could install differently:

1. Your distribution's repository.
2. Software which is downloaded from other sites on the Internet.
3. Commercial Linux software.

For today, I'm going to answer #1. I'll address the other two in followup posts.

Installing applications from the Ubuntu repository

The "repository" is an on-line archive of thousands of programs that have been compiled specifically for your specific distribution. You must have an active Internet connection to get programs from the repository. High-speed Internet is recommended. (For some Linux distros you can also obtain the repository on CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.) To access this from Ubuntu:

1. Click "Applications" in the top left, then from the drop-down menu click "Add/Remove". This launches the basic package manager, which will tell you all the applications available to you. Applications which are already installed will have a check mark in the box beside the description.

2. Find the application you want to install. With this tool you need to select a category, and then scroll down to see your choices. For example, if you want to do web editing, you could click the "Internet" category and then scroll down to "Kompozer" (a web page editor). Click the check box for that application. Then click "Apply changes" and "Apply" to confirm.

3. You'll need to provide the Administrator password. This is normally the password of the first user you created, when you installed Ubuntu. If your system came with Ubuntu pre-installed, you'll have to ask the supplier for this password. The program you requested will be downloaded, and automatically added to your Applications menu.

4. To remove an unwanted program, the procedure is the same, except that you "uncheck" the box for the application you want removed, and then click "Apply changes." It's best to do this only for applications you installed yourself and don't want anymore. The core system depends upon a lot of obscure programs which you will see in that list, and removing them could stop Ubuntu from functioning.

For more advanced program searches, you can learn to use the "Synaptic" package manager program. Click "System" on the top bar, then "Administration", then "Synaptic Package Manager". The operation of this program is basically the same, but you also have a search feature that lets you find programs by name or keyword.

Note: these instructions are for Ubuntu 7.10, since that's the only Ubuntu I have running at the moment. It's possible that the menu entries appear differently in newer Ubuntus. Also note that you can't actually do any of this anymore with Ubuntu 7.10, because the 7.10 repository no longer exists. Ubuntu keeps most repositories around for only two years. You can see the current repositories here -- at this moment only versions 9.04, 8.10, 8.04LTS, and 6.06LTS are supported.

Because of unusual personal circumstances, I haven't been able to post here as regularly as I would like for the last few weeks. This will continue for another week or so.

I've just started on the next phase of the Debian Adventure -- installing Debian on my laptop. That will doubtless merit a few posts in days to come. But today, I've discovered that there is no easy way to see all my "Debian Adventure" posts in one place. So I've created a new category for posts, "The Debian Adventure," and I've moved all of the old posts into that category. It uses the Debian Linux icon, in accordance with the Debian Open Use Logo License.

I've also wanted to group my "Lightweight Linux" reviews similarly, so I've created a new category for "Lightweight Systems". This will be for any lightweight systems, not just Linux; and any news, not just my own reviews. I finally found an attractive feather icon which is royalty-free for non-commercial use, thanks to ArtistsValley.

If you hadn't already noticed, you can view all the posts in a specific category by clicking on the icon at the top of any news post. So, clicking on the Debian icon will show you all the Debian Adventure posts.

Jack Wallen asks "What makes a good Linux distribution?" on Tech Republic. I find myself largely in agreement with him, except on the subject of "eye candy":


I agree that "eye candy" makes Linux look cool and advanced, and impresses the masses. But it also consumes an enormous amount of processing power and memory, and adds little or nothing to the usefulness of the machine. Leaving it enabled by default will just make Linux look slow. If the distro can be clever enough to detect a suitably fast CPU, suitably vast RAM, and suitable video card, then automatically enabling it under those conditions might be ok. But that risks confusing the user. "My friend installed Linux and got cool graphics, but when I installed the same disk the graphics didn't work!"

I'm pleased to see that half of the respondents to the on-line survey said that the most important aspect of a Linux distribution was "that it 'just work.'"

A tip of the hat to Charles C. for this item. We've known for years that Microsoft snoops what "other" software you have installed on your Windows PC, and reports that information back to Microsoft HQ. But now they seem to have taken the next step, and are altering third-party software to suit themselves.


And of course the "ability for Web sites to easily and quietly install software on your PC" has been one of the great security flaws Microsoft engineered into their IE browser -- and one reason why many people switch to Firefox. It would seem that Microsoft is determined, not to improve their own security (as they often claim), but instead to reduce the security of other Windows software.

If you're using Windows and Firefox, you probably want to uninstall this Firefox extension. And then think about whether you really want to do business with a company that condones such practices, and an operating system that actively hampers your efforts to secure your computer.

Microsoft has been granted a patent for its "invention" that users should pay them more money to get full function from their computers. As Linux Magazine reports:


We've had many hints that this was a business model that Microsoft would be pursuing. Not long ago they offered software "rental" to poor users. The latest manifestation is the "netbook" version of Windows 7, which will require you to pay extra (directly to Microsoft) to get the full use of the operating system. Microsoft, it seems, is mainly interested in innovating new ways to extract money from customers.

This is not a business model in which the open-source community has the slightest interest. With Free/Open Source Software you always get full function; no one has any interest in crippling it. One more reason to say Goodbye to Microsoft.

(Hat tip to Paul H. of BLUG.)

I have several computers with 256 MB of RAM that need a modern Linux. So I've been happy to discover that Debian produces an "Xfce+Lxde" install disk with those two lightweight desktop environments, because it's usually the bulk of KDE or Gnome that breaks the RAM budget. I've downloaded that Debian CD-ROM and intend to try it.

Then, there is Xubuntu -- Ubuntu with Xfce. In the past I have griped about Xubuntu because its stated RAM requirement was no different from Ubuntu (Gnome) or Kubuntu (KDE)...and with version 8.x, that was a lot of RAM. But Xubuntu 9.04 claims to run in 192 MB (possibly 128 MB) of RAM.

All this means I was pleased to learn from Click that Distrowatch did a comparison of Xubuntu 9.04 vs. Debian 5.0.1 Xfce, which concluded:


In a followup article, Distrowatch tweaked Xubuntu for better performance. It's actually possible to selectively build an Xubuntu installation that is very close to the Debian Xfce, with the extra niceties of Xubuntu. Which leads me to ask...why is there no Ubuntu distro built this way?

I very much liked Keir Thomas' recent PCWorld post on the top 7 reasons why people quit Linux -- or in many of his examples, fail to adopt Linux. For Linux to significantly displace Microsoft, its proponents, and those who create Linux software, need to address these seven issues.

Thomas' responses are excellent, but I'd like to answer those same seven questions from the Goodbye, Microsoft perspective. I'll bump his #6 to the end position because I want to answer it last.

Computerworld reports:


Microsoft seems to be saying (a) Windows 7 Release Candidate (the step beyond beta-test) is better than the "mature" Vista, and (b) you're better off waiting to buy Windows 7 in six months or so, than to buy Vista now.

Given that Vista, over two years after its release, has only a 24% market share, even Microsoft is conceding its faults. They promise that Windows 7 will really, really be released on schedule, and really, really not be so awful.

I say, use the next six months to evaluate other alternatives. Maybe you don't need Vista or Windows 7.

I occasionally read financial blogs, and this item on The Baseline Scenario caught my eye:


The question is, with over $20 billion in cash, why does Microsoft need to sell bonds to raise more money? Finance guys look at this differently than tech guys, but they reach an eerily familiar conclusion: