Synaptic Package Manager

Contrary to what you may have heard, you do not have to install applications by compiling them from source code. Ubuntu includes an installation manager called Synaptic which automatically downloads, installs, and configures new applications. Let’s take a step back for a second. Which application installation procedure looks easiest to you:

Ok, the word “pay” gives it away, but as you can see, a Ubuntu installation is significantly easier than a Windows install. New installs are automatically configured to work with any applications you already have installed. Additionally, uninstalls are done as simply as unchecking the box for the application and applying the settings.

The first thing we need to do is configure Synaptic to display every program available in the Ubuntu “repositories”. The repositories are simply locations which store information on which programs are available and where to download them. To enable all the repositories do this:

1. Open Synaptic (System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager)


2. Enter your password (remember, installations require root access)


3. Select Settings > Repositories


4. Click Add


5. For each option under Repository combo box, select all the check boxes
   Note: This will enable certain closed source and sometimes non-free applications. Be sure you understand any EULA’s for packages these may apply to (such as MP3 codecs).


6. Click Ok


7. In the Software Sources listing, make sure every box is checked, except for the CD Sources (should be the one at the top of the list)


8. Click Ok


9. Close and reopen Synaptic


10. Refresh the packages via Edit > Reload Package Information

That’s it. You have Ubuntu configured to enable you to select and install any application in the Ubuntu Universe. As an additional note, this also controls the applications which are available from the Add Applications option under the GNOME Applications menu.

As you can see on the left side, there are categories available which will quickly sort the entire Universe by the applicable selection. The search feature at the top allows you to search for a specific package by name and detailed description. If you know exactly what package you are looking for, simply click on an item in the package list and type the name of the target package.

Whenever you click on a package in Synaptic, you can see a detailed description of what it does is displayed in the space below. This is a great way to find out what packages do without having to “Google search” them. If you want additional information, such as the size of the application, just right click on it and select Properties.

Installing applications is as simple as clicking on the box next to the package name and selecting “Mark for Installation”. Any dependencies are automatically determined, and if you do not have them on your system, you will be notified that they, too, will be downloaded and installed. Ubuntu installations literally are just a single click!

If any packages catch your eye while playing around with Synaptic, by all means install them. There are over 10,000 packages freely available, so don’t hold back!

Synaptic Package Manager

Installing Common Packages with Automatix

The first thing I do with any new Ubuntu install is load Automatix, a script developed by a fellow on the Ubuntu Forums who goes by arnieboy. Automatix essentially is a selectable collection of scripts you choose to run which do everything from installing Firefox plugins, installing a firewall, getting vital multimedia codecs, to Linux OS tweaks. The list goes on as there are over 40 options to choose from, best of all, as the name indicates the downloads and installs are done automatically!

Let’s set it up. Here is how:

1. Open Firefox from either the shortcut bar at the top of the screen or by going Applications > Internet > Firefox Web Browser


2. Go to this location: http://beerorkid.com/automatix/


3. Download the latest version of Automatix by clicking the appropriate link and save it to your “/home/[your user name]” folder


4. Open a command terminal by going Applications > Accessories > Terminal


5. Enter this at the command prompt to get the listing of files in your /home directory:
   

   ls



6. Find the listing for Automatix (it will be something like “automatix_5.1-1_i386.deb”), and enter the following:
   

   sudo dpkg -i automatix_5.1-1_i386.deb

   This takes the .deb file (which is like a Windows .msi file) and installs it to your system. You will have to enter your password in order to install it.


7. Close the terminal


8. Open Automatix by going Applications > System Tools > Automatix

When you first open Automatix, you will be greeted by several alerts. It is important that you read these as they contain information about installing certain packages. Once you go through the notices (and possibly enter your password again) are presented with the plethora of options. No mystery here, just select the check box next to each option you want to install and click Ok. That’s it, just sit back and watch your selections be automatically downloaded and installed.

Automatix, by arnieboy