InstallingSoftware

Revision 9 as of 2007-04-06 10:58:58

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Tip: These Icons tell you more about a program:BRBRattachment:ubuntu.png Integrates well with UbuntuBRattachment:kubuntu.png Integrates well with Kubuntu BRattachment:copyright.png The use, modification and distribution of the application is restricted by copyright, or by legal terms in some countriesBRattachment:community.png Application is provided by the Ubuntu communityBRattachment:canonical.png Canonical Ltd. provides technical support and security updates for the application

HowTo install or uninstall packages/software on Ubuntu

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If you are new to Ubuntu, you may be wondering 'How do I install software? Where can I find it? Is it easy?' To put things simply for you: If you have used windows it will be a doddle.

Installing software is easy. Simply go to Applications in the top left, then click on Add/Remove... There will then be a message saying 'Checking installed and available applications', and a loading bar. After a few seconds, you will be presented with an easy to use interface, with categories down the side and a list of applications and a description on the right. At the top you will find a search box, which you can use to search for software.

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So lets say you want to design graphics for a website, and have tried the GIMP, but don't think it has the features you need. Simply open the Add/Remove applications program, and search for graphics. Now you are going to tell me that there's a graphics category on the left... So lets use that instead. You can now sort the programs alphabetically, or by popularity. NOTE: Popularity is the number of times a program has been downloaded. Don't not download a program because it has a low rating. It just means it hasn't been downloaded a lot. You can also search within the graphics section for 'design' or 'web', to narrow your results more. Read the description, to find out more about a program.

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Once you have found a program you would like (for web graphics I recommend Inkscape), simply click the check box next to a program and click on apply. The program will ask you if you are sure, then for your administrator password, and automatically download and install it for you. You will get a message telling you where the shortcut is. For Inkscape it will be under Applications> Graphics. That's it. The program has been installed and is ready for use. You will be provided with free program and security updates, without cost!

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It's just as easy to remove a piece of software, if you don't want it. Simply remove the tick in the checkbox, and click apply.

There are lots of other ways, other than Add/Remove Applications, to install packages and applications on Ubuntu. You can use Synaptic Package Manager, which gives you control over individual packages. Synaptic can be found under System> Administration. If a program, that you want can't be found under Add/Remove Applications, but it is on the internet, you can get the packages it depends on from synaptic. You could also use Aptitude or apt-get for packages, but using them will be explained in [insert section and page number].

Comments


If someone knows how to make text wrap around images, so that the images aren't in the way as much, could they do it please? Thanks.

By Robert Clipsham AKA mrmonday