• Launchpad Entry: https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/xdeltas

• Created: Date(2006-06-21T06:53:01Z) by MattZimmerman

• Contributors: MattZimmerman

• Packages affected:

Summary

Rationale

Use cases

Scope

Design

Implementation

Code

Data preservation and migration

Outstanding issues

Gobby dump

General

• Planned enhancements to gnome-app-install will make finding many of these packages easier, as the most popular applications in its list will be sorted to the top

EasyUbuntu

• http://easyubuntu.freecontrib.org/

• Swapping totem-xine for totem-gstreamer
  • we believe this is now obsolete; totem-gstreamer should work as well and is more flexible
• Freecodes
  • covered by the easy-codec-installation spec
• libdvdcss
  • no comment
• midi
  • this merely installs timidity, timidity-interfaces-extra and freepats: midi playback in the desktop still doesn't seem to work, but selecting a midi file in firefox will launch timidity in the background (Soren: i think there's some sort of integration between alsa and timidity available that emulates a midi playback device which in turn sends the midi stream to timidity.) dsilvers: Indeed there is, and it's documented in the timididy README.Debian so it needs to be made easier(default when there's no hardware midi device available?) perhaps?
  • too large to include on the CD
  • timidity already depends on freepats
  • add an icon in gnome-app-install which installs timidity
• Flash -- We already have flashplugin-nonfree -- do we need more?
  • already in g-a-i
  • gnash is supposedly getting better support for newer SWF features -- may be useful for amd64 systems in the future
• Java
  • Installs non-free Java
  • Is there a suitable free implementation?
  • We ship free java in main, but it isn't generally useful for running popular apps
  • Sun java is available and easily installed via g-a-i, but only installs sun-java5-bin and not the (browser) plugin, which is only Suggested
  • Include an additional .desktop file for the browser plugin, or a bundle which installs both, or upgrade Suggests to Recommends
  • JSS libraries are needed to allow user certificates (and digital signatures) to work with firefox (allowing e-government processes). We have them packaged for guadalinex.
• Videos -- embedded into web pages
  • installs totem-gstreamer-firefox-plugin and kaffeine-mozilla
  • totem-gstreamer-firefox-plugin has proven unstable in the past, but is under consideration for Edgy already
  • mozilla-mplayer from multiverse (or something like that) is working quite nicely for some
• RAR
  • installs non-free rar tools
  • the free version of rar doesn't even support listing the content of an archiveACE - installs unace from universe
  • file-roller doesn't seem to integrate with it, so only command-line support
• Repository list

  • this is covered by https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/enabling-additional-components

• Fonts
  • installs msttcorefonts (non-free), gsfonts-x11 (free, but useful?), xfonts-intl-european (free, but useful?)
  • Expect that most users benefit from msttcorefonts and the others are noise
  users on the forums install msttcorefonts a lot. I am not familiar with the other packages.
  • the installation of the ms fonts is covered by the desktop guide and we also have got a virtual "application" for it in gnome-app-install

  • Description in gnome-app-install could be clarified (says "TrueType core fonts")

• DMA - on Breezy, this installed a hardcoded hdparm.conf. On Dapper, it does nothing
  • dsilvers: doesn't our kernel now enable DMA where it's known-safe anyway?
  • mdz: yes, that's why it does nothing
• nvidia
  • installs non-free driver and correctly enables
  • should add to gnome-app-install and automatically enable
• ati
  • installs non-free driver, doesn't seem to enable
  • should add to gnome-app-install and automatically enabled
  • almost all users on the forums install the non-free videodrivers
  • I think that they want to install the latest driver mainly, since they are required by some games(users who don't plau much games also add the non-free videodrivers)
• wengo - installs wengophone (free SIP phone universe)
  • How does it compare to ekiga?
  • i use ekiga on a daily basis. it works quite well on i386 but often crashes on powerpc
  • janimo: my experience with wengophone is that it's not as good as ekiga or skype (UI glitches, cannot find souncard)
  • in gnome-app-install for those who want it
• skype - installs non-free package
  • ekiga has actually gotten a lot better (at least with sip it seems) than when I've used it in the past as gnomemeeting.
  • Investigate adding skype to gnome-app-install

Automatix

• http://www.getautomatix.com/

• No source packages in repository... (quality)
• seems to be written in sh, though _i386, _amd64 and _powerpc debs are distributed?
• the german version has some serious issues currently: removes its own files instead of using the packaging system. uses apt-get --force and --assume-yes
• Acrobat reader
  • installs non-free package
  • Yes, we install it on our machines, researchers seem to find pdfs that
    • do not display under free pdf readers all the time, however I've not yet unleashed evince/dapper on them. acroread also does a better job with high-vector documents, like systemwide bus maps. It shows the drawing in progress and does not render the entire page if only a zoomed in section is in view.IMHO most users like evince. Yes, evince is very good, its just

      not perfect. :-P (fun fact: The published ubuntu books available in PDF format are not viewable by evince)

  • Is available in gnome-app-install
• AMSN
  • installs package from universe (how does this compare to gaim?)
  • amsn is familiar for ex-msn users but it can't handle other protocols.(It does support webcam but I don't know how well)
  • More familiar interface for users who are accustomed to the Windows client
  • Is available in gnome-app-install
• aMule - installs package from universe Let's not recommend to install this one (by default)it almost has no legal use.
  • Is available in gnome-app-install
• rar, unrar, ace

  • same as for EasyUbuntu

• DVD

  • same as for EasyUbuntu

• avidemux
  • installs package from universe
  • I've used this before and found it to be rather primitive (mdz)
  • Is available in gnome-app-install
• backup and restore
  • installs sbackup from universe

  • https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/home-user-backup is meant as a better solution

• bittorrent
  • installs bittornado and azureus from universe
  • both?seems overkill. also the default bittorrent that comes with Dapper has a far easier GUI so it's more useful for new users
  • azureus is in gnome-app-install
  • doesn't install the GUI for bittornado; what's the point?
  • Umm, don't we have gnome-bittorrent anyway? (dsilvers)
  • does azureus work with free Java?

    • yeah. (on a side note the current azureus has a bug -> most/all? users can't hide/close warning messages: http://launchpad.net/bugs/41813)

    • it does work, not fully functional - may have changed with beta azureus?
  • Consider moving to main if it is confirmed to work well with current free Java in edgy
  • azureus would be a good option for advanced users (sdier)I agree. Definetely not suited for the new user / average desktop user.
• boot-up manager
  • installs bum from universe

  • http://www.marzocca.net/linux/bum.html

  • Will this remain relevant with the hardware-based-boot idea? (dsilvers)
  • perl-gtk application to enable/disable services
  • We ship services-admin already, which provides a simpler interface
  • Consider adding an option to services-admin to display a full list of services for power users
• checkgmail
  • installs checkgmail by downloading hardcoded .debs from Debian (which will be synced to Ubuntu when syncing starts for Edgy...)
  • system tray application which notifies of new mail in gmail
  • we already have gmail-notify and kcheckgmail in universe
  • Is this one better?
• ctrl-alt-del
  • configures GNOME shortcut for ctrl-alt-del to launch gnome-system-monitor (similar to Windows)

  • gconftool-2 -t str --set /apps/metacity/global_keybindings/run_command_9 "<Control><Alt>Delete" && gconftool-2 -t str --set /apps/metacity/keybinding_commands/command_9 "gnome-system-monitor"

  • Does nothing by default; why not this?
  • Maybe more appropriate to open the logout dialog?
• DCPP
  • installs linuxdcpp (P2P client) by untarring in /opt

  • http://linuxdcpp.berlios.de/

  • Is already in universe
  • Has been failing to build for some time, but may be trivially fixable (missing build-dep)

  • https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+source/linuxdcpp

  • Has a .desktop file, should appear in g-a-i
• Debian Menu
  • enables the Debian menu
  • we don't want this; packages should provide XDG .desktop files instead
• DVD ripper
  • installs dvdrip (command-line program) from multiverse
• Eject CD
  • disables tray locking on CD-ROM drive
  • We do better than this in Dapper; HAL sends a signal and the device is unmounted cleanly
• GAIM beta
  • adds a people.ubuntu.com source to get beta GAIM .debs
  • for use as a msn replacement, more usable than gaim1.5 (offical MSN client has increased functionality)
  • Consider for dapper-backports
• Firefox 1.5 plugins
  • installs Sun Java, Flash, msttcorefonts(?), mozilla-acroread, mozilla-mplayer
  • Sun Java, Flash and msttcorefonts are already in g-a-i
  • mozilla-acroread and mozilla-mplayer should be added
• Frostwire
  • yet another P2P, installed by downloading third party .deb
  • GPL
  • should be packaged for universe and in g-a-i
• gdesklets
  • installs gdesklets gdesklets-data from universe
  • gdesklets depends on gdesklets-data
  • seems like mostly a toy
  • available in gnome-app-install for those who want it
• gftp
  • installs gftp from universe, which installs gftp-gtk and gftp-text
  • gftp-gtk is in main and available in gnome-app-install
• gnomebaker
  • installs gnomebaker from universe
  • comparison with Nautilus/Serpentine?
  • is available in gnome-app-install
• wifi-setup
  • installs ndiiswrapper and network-manager-gnome
• gnomeppp
  • installs gnomeppp
• listen media manager
  • installs third party deb of Listen

  • http://listengnome.free.fr/

• MS ttf
  • installs msttcorefonts
  • covered above
• media players
  • installs totem-xine vlc vlc-plugin-arts wxvlc beep-media-player vlc-plugin-esd and inexplicably hardcoded dependencies(?) from universe/multiverse, downloads third-party realplayer .deb and bmp bocklet
• nautilus-scripts
  • open a root terminal in the correct direcotry
  • open the selected file in gedit as user root
  • start the gnome-search-tool with the current path
• Numlock ON
  • installs numlockx from universe
  • replaces /etc/X11/gdm/Init/Default with a version that runs numlockx
• Opera Browser
  • Installs the Sun JRE and other dependencies of Opera
  • Installs a third-party xlibs .deb
  • Adds the Opera .deb repository to sources.list
  • Installs the opera .deb
  • Installs a custom .desktop file
• Programming tools
  • Installs anjuta, bluefish, screem and nvu from universe
• Rhythmbox
  • Downloads a rhythmbox .deb from ~seb128 and installs it
• Ripper and Tuner
  • Installs streamripper, streamtuner, xmms from universe
• Skype
  • Installs skype .deb from skype.com
  • Disables hangup sound?
• Sun Java 1.5 JRE
  • Installs sun-java5-jre from multiverse
• Sun Java 1.5 SDK
  • Installs sun-java5-sdk from multiverse
• Swiftfox plugins
  • Installs sun-java5-plugin msttcorefonts acroread mozilla-acroread mplayer-386 mplayer-fonts mozilla-mplayer from multiverse
  • Clobbers totem firefox plugin if it is installed
• Thunderbird 1.5
  • Installs mozilla-thunderbird from main
• Wine
  • Adds wine.lowvoice.nl repository to sources.list and installs wine package from there
• XChat
  • Installs xchat, xchat-systray from universe
• NVIDIA Cards
  • If a PCI device in a hardcoded list is present:
  • Installs nvidia-glx and l-r-m
  • Runs nvidia-xconfig
• Swiftfox Browser

  • Installs swiftfox (http://www.getswiftfox.com/, a binary firefox build) from a tarball

• Laptop-wifi
  • Installs ndisgtk (a GTK configuration thing for ndiswrapper)
  • Installs network-manager-{gnome,kde} depending on which env you're in when running it.

== consider dapper packages from plf. plf is a well known repository on the forums.

PLF ACCEPTS ONLY REFUSED BY Universe/Multiverse PACKAGES

Maybe some of them should be reconsidered because apparently they are popular if they aren't refused for patern reasons.

Information about plf : http://wiki.ubuntu-fr.org/doc/plf http://plf.zarb.org/

Multimedia howto on ubuntuforums by ubuntu_demon. more than 3000 reads.

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=186792

First stage : enable multiverse + universe and add cipherfunk (no need to explain that here) Second stage :

Installing al bunch of codecs from universe/multiverse :

$sudo apt-get install gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly mpg321 vorbis-tools gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-gl libxine-main1 libxine-extracodecs gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse gstreamer0.10-pitfdll

install these codecs from cipherfunk (we probably shouldnt touch libdvdcss2 for this spec):

$sudo apt-get install w32codecs libdvdcss2

This command installs a couple of good players. I always use totem-gstreamer instead of totem-xine. Because I want to be able to try the gstreamer framework for playback. If a video doesn't run in any of these you might as well give up :

$sudo apt-get install totem-gstreamer vlc mplayer xine-ui

I always use xine-ui so I don't need gxine. But if you want gxine :

$sudo apt-get install gxine

To be able to play videos in firefox you have two choices. You should try one at a time : $sudo apt-get install totem-gstreamer-firefox-plugin $sudo apt-get install mozilla-mplayer

If you want realplayer you have two options : $sudo apt-get install realplay $sudo apt-get install realplayer

dvd-related stuff : $sudo apt-get install libdvdread3 regionset

To get flash : $sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree $sudo update-flashplugin

To install java JRE from sun : $sudo apt-get install sun-java5-bin sun-java5-plugin $sudo update-alternatives --config java and choose the sun option (/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.5.0-sun/jre/bin/java)

Microsoft TrueType core fonts : $sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts

Ubuntu Guide

• Repositories -- as before, enables universe and plf(on a side note cipherphunk which is not installed by unbuntuguide has w32codecs AFAIK)
• Clipboard daemon for GNOME
  • - Download and unpack a tarball directly to /usr/bin - chown and chmod it - run it. - Seems to recommend running gnome-clipboard-daemon in a crontabb @reboot rule
  • Surely we can do better?
• J2SE+firefox plugin
  • - Installs sun-java5-jre from the plf repository
• Flash
  • - Installs flashplugin-nonfree from ubuntu
• Acroread
  • - Installs non-free acrobat packages including a mozilla plugin
• Download manager for X
  • - Installs d4x from universe
• gFTP
  • - Again from universe
• DC++
  • - Download and untar a built tree into /opt - manually create a .desktop in the /usr/share/applications tree
• Azureus
  • - Having done J2SE as above, download and unpack tar into /opt - manually create a .desktop in /usr/share/applications
• P2P emule client
  • - Installs amule from universe

• Gnutella client (FrostWire)

  • - Download and install deb from ~stubby on a bizarre random host
• Skype
  • - Add the skype repository to sources.list - Install the skype deb
• Winpopup (linpopup)
  • - Install linpopup from universe - Manually create a .desktop in /usr/share/applications
• Multimedia codecs
  • - installs all the gstreamer plugin packages from Ubuntu
• DVD support
  • - install libdvdread3 from main - Run the install-css.sh - Install totem-xine
• Multimedia player (xine-ui)
  • - installs xine-ui from universe - Bodges the autoplay_dvd_command to run xine - Futzes the default app from totem to xine in /usr/share/applications

IMHO all average desktop users benefit by having universe and multiverse enabled by default. But this is not useful for corporate use. as long as the ui continues to indicate main vs. universe/multiverse when installing packages through synaptic/smart/etc in the future. I agree. also in enterprise use if the selection packages is centrally deployed they can take care to avoid universe when necessary. We still install lots of universe packages at umn.

needed : firefox totem plugin installed byu deault (or mplayer or something else) its nice to use totem for playback because it follows gstreamer preferences, but mplayer seems to have the highest success of playback. in my personal experiences mplayer and totem-gstreamer are almost equal .. some videos don't play using totem and other don't play using mplayer. but therefor totem-gstreamer is probably the better choice How does totem-gstreamer handle non-free win32 dlls these days -- it seemed to be difficult to configure. It does some magic with ffmpeg, I think. It seems to kind of work.. sometimes theres some package on cipherpunk .. pitfdll or something. i think it works for most wmv's except the newest ones(wmv 10 doesnt work at all AFAIK) it appears pitfdll is in dapper at least.great! I know I'm jumping in late, but what about VLC?

I always advice people to install mplayer,totem-gstreamer xine-ui/gxine and vlc (and a bunch of codecs). That way there's (almost?)always a player which works (except for wmv10) and real play video you need realplayer for that yeah. But IMHO most users don't need it Try to listen to lugradio then doesnt it have an ogg podcast ? should have, but sometimes mirrors are not available Anyway, I'm quite happy with the bunch I have.

I have written a multimedia guide on the forums. It's in the howto section. It's intended for gnome.My nick is ubuntu_demon

extra artwork

• gnome-themes-extras nice

• ubuntu-calendar AFAIK it doesn't get used very much by users but it can't hurt

compiz/aiglx/xgl currently needs a warning

• ((I tried it on a geforce 3 when Dapper was still in development I stopped trying after a bit of time though))
• compiz.net -forums for aiglx/xgl/compiz howtos for ubuntu (and other distros) * xgl.compiz.info repositories contain cvs debs of compiz, aiglx, xgl and
  • associated xlibs, as well as patched parts of gnome to make compiz function
  • many users report sucess
• aiglx/compiz/i810 has wacky breakages in it like password dialogs don't draw right and sustpend is broken. must make sure users understand that this has a

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