Following on from Part 1 of this series of posts on Ubuntu, I’m going to talk about Ubuntu and Linux’s most POWERFUL concept. Installing software through repositories. The way I understand it is that these are databases of all the latest stable software that has been tried and tested to work with Ubuntu. The software goes through several checks and something called REVU, comments are passed back and forth regarding how to make the package better before it’s committed to the repository. This means several things to the end user, however I’m going to concentrate on two:

<li>You get notified of any updates to any software that is running on your machine that is part of these repositories, so you're always up to date with the latest software (that's all software, from graphical applications to files you don't really care about or know what they actually do). It's a cute little orange and white star icon that pops out at you informing you to update your system.</li>

<li>You have a massive database to search for applications that will allow you to get the tasks you want to get done at your finger tips, with the click of a button.</li></ol>

Synaptic Package Manager

In the past when I would want to do something with my computer, I'd search the Internet for some software that would allow me to do something. Traditionally there were the proprietary applications and then there was the less capable but free applications available. Every once in a while you'd stumble on some open source software that would really excel itself. Needless to say I used to spend a lot of time searching the net for applications that might fit the bill of what it was I was looking for. Ubuntu takes care of the searching for me, through the Synaptic Package Manager (pictured below). (For those newbies looking for this, just go to System > administration > Synaptic Package Manager)

You can search for applications either by category, or if you know what it’s called by name. So if you want some software that burns DVDs, or a bit torrent client then search through key words. You’d be surprised just how many applications are out there that can do all sorts of things you’d be finding if not difficult, at the very least expensive and worse frustrating on a windows machine. This little application and thought process IMHO should be the impetus of all Linux discussions. We’re dealing with THOUSANDS of developers all over the world contributing to thousands of programmes to help make YOUR (and my) computing experience easier and more enjoyable to undertake.

The issue of course is that you might need to add more repositories in order to get the very latest software which might not be verified from the Ubuntu team. This is the beauty of open source. It’s not like traditional proprietary software. There really is no need for open source to make massive leaps and bounds in one go (the traditional method employed by software houses to make you buy the upgrade), things are enhanced and augmented with time, step by step. You can even build your own repository list.

Easyubuntu

Easyubuntu should be a link on the Ubuntu desktop once you've installed the full thing. Why? Because it's got all the software that isn't covered by the GPL license that Ubuntu can't ship with or whatever the legalities of the whole thing actually is (they could go down the Novell route and offer it as an option in the install stage, which would save a lot of people a lot of time, agro and hassle). Here's a list of all the software that can be installed from running this little collection of applications. So all your drivers, Flash 7 (Adobe hasn't released 8 for Linux, however they're committed to 9 apparently), Java and the list goes on.

Automatix

I've only used Automatix for a couple of things, however the list of software that it will install is very impressive. It's not as polished an interface as Synaptic to be honest as it does all sorts of ugly things (to someone who's used to the standard Ubuntu dialogue boxes) but that shouldn't stop you from using the application itself. I've heard rumblings within the Ubuntu Community where some people have expressed not liking using this system. I'm not sure why not to be honest (as in I genuinely don't have a clue so any thoughts would be appreciated).

Resources for starting out on Ubuntu and Installing Ubuntu

Generally speaking, due in part to the architecture, and the other being that it is the most used Distro, most software runs on Ubuntu, it's just sometimes a hassle, if in case it's not found in the above methods. In that case then you've got a couple of options. .deb files (since Ubuntu is a Debian fork) has got these packages which act effectively like .exe files. Double click and install away. There are also others who have done autopackagers as well. Again these act like .exe files, so you double click and install. I'm going to admit I've tried to actually install software from the source code, however EVERY time I've tried, I've failed, and I've gone back and tried to find an alternative solution from the above. However if you are thinking about doing this here's a couple of good links to refer to:
1. Install Anything on Ubuntu
2. Ubuntu Wiki
3. Ubuntu Forums

So there you have it, methods of how to install applications on Ubuntu, there’s more one way to skin a cat and in many ways a lot simpler and more open than windows in that there is generally an open source application for everything. Some are more mature than others and that’s what I’ll be talking about in the next posts on the subject. The next topic I tackle will be about applications that provide Sound.