Ubuntu Wiki

This page describes methods for installing specific Software in the 64-bit editions of ubuntu, including adding specific repositories and commands.

The process is:

1. Installation

2. Source Setup

3. Additional Repositories

4. Add additional software from the Repositories

5. Add additional software from Personal Package Archives (PPA) Sources

6. Add external software from non-Repository sources

Installation

I have an nVidia GeForce 610 GT Video Adaptor. In the CD for the 12.04.1 Release, there is a defect where the GUI will not work on my system. On the offchance that others may have the issue, here is the step-by-step process that I use for installing ubuntu 12.04.1 on my PC (clean install).

1. Insert Desktop CD and reboot.
2. At first Ubuntu screen (blank purple), press Escape key. This will result in a menu being displayed.
3. Press F6 (Options) and add nomodeset to the end of the startup command. The selection of the option will not work - when the menu is displayed, press the Escape key and type the nomodeset at the end of the line.
4. Continue normal installation, including obtaining updates during installation.

5. At conclusion of install, the CD tray will open and a prompt will appear to remove the CD. Do not remove the CD. Reclose the tray and press Enter.

6. The system will reboot off of the CD.
7. At first Ubuntu screen (blank purple), press Escape key.
8. Press F6 (Options) and add nomodeset to the end of the startup command, in the same way as in step 3.
9. Select Try Ubuntu without Installing. Ubuntu will boot from the CD.
10. When ubuntu is booted, press CTRL-ALT-F1, which will open the main terminal session.
11. Type all of the following (which will set up so that changes will update the version of ubuntu that is installed on the hard drive):
    • sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
    • sudo mount –o bind /dev /mnt/dev
    • sudo mount –o bind /sys /mnt/sys
    • sudo mount –t proc /proc /mnt/proc
    • sudo chroot /mnt /bin/bash
12. Type all of the following (which will add a repository that contains a version of the nVidia drivers that do work):
    • sudo apt-add-repository ppa:Ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates
    • sudo apt-get update
    • sudo apt-get install nvidia-current
    • sudo nvidia-xconfig
    • sudo apt-get update
13. Type exit to get out of chroot.
14. Type all of the following (to clear the mount points on the installed version of ubuntu):
    • sudo umount /mnt/proc
    • sudo umount /mnt/sys
    • sudo umount /mnt/dev
    • sudo umount /mnt
15. Type sudo reboot.

16. The system will reboot. As part of the reboot, the CD tray will open and a prompt will appear to remove the CD. Remove the CD. Reclose the tray and press Enter.

Source Setup

This section identifies the setup for Software Sources. This can be managed by selecting Repositories from the Settings menu item in Update Manager. The Software Sources page has five tabs.

The Ubuntu Software tab should be set as shown below:

The settings for the Other Software tab are described in Additional Repositories.

The Updates tab should be set as shown below:

Note: the updates tab is set so that there is no automatic Release Upgrades. I have found it better to do a clean installation when upgrading to the next release.

The Authentication tab is set when the Repositories are updated.

The Statistics tab is ignored.

Additional Repositories

There is some software that I typically install that is only available through additional Repositories. Most of the repositories may be either edited in Synaptic (Software > Repositories) or added through a terminal.

Medibuntu

This repository contains items that are restricted in various geographic areas due to differences in copyright or patent legislation. The detailed information may be found at the Medibuntu website.

To add this repository:

1. Open a Terminal
2. Copy the following text

   • sudo wget --output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_release -cs).list && sudo apt-get --quiet update && sudo apt-get --yes --quiet --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get --quiet update

3. Paste the text into the Terminal (use the Shift+Ctrl+V key combination to paste into the Terminal).

Repository Software

This is software that is installed from the repositories.

Ubuntu 12.04

Software List

This is the additional software that I typically install from the Repositories. Each item may also include other items to be installed. For example, the mozilla-plugin-vlc will also include the Video LAN Client (VLC) software.

Note that if installing to a 32-bit version, the only change to this list would be to use w32codecs instead of w64codecs.

Quick Installation using Terminal

If the Source Settings and Repositories are set as shown above, then the following command will install all of the suggested software. This can be copied from here and pasted into a Terminal:

sudo apt-get install ntp banshee evolution evolution-indicator gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly dvdrip inkscape mozilla-libreoffice mozilla-plugin-vlc sound-juicer soundconverter easytag-aac gparted cheese libreoffice lo-menubar indicator-weather gnome-system-tools ttf-mscorefonts-installer w64codecs skype

Finishing Touches

1. The library program for VLC needs to be enabled. To that:

   • copy the following command into a Terminal: sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

2. A screen toolkit needs to be identified. To do this:

   • copy the following command into a Terminal: gksudo gedit /etc/profile

   • this will open up the profile in an editor

   • add a new line at the end of the profile and insert the following text: AWT_Toolkit=MToolkit

   • save the file, then close the editor.
3. Thunderbird should be removed if you are using evolution. To do that:

   • copy the following command into a Terminal: sudo apt-get remove thunderbird

4. I have a lot of screen real estate - dual monitors, each 24 inches. For this reason, the Global Menu is really annoying. The Global Menu can be removed if desired. To do that:

   • copy the following command into a Terminal: sudo apt-get remove indicator-appmenu

5. The Weather Indicator needs to be added to the Startup Applications. Once that is done, then the weather indicator will appear with every reboot. To do that:
   • open the Startup Applications.
   • select the Add Button.
   • the command is indicator-weather. The other fields may take any content.
   • save and close.
6. The default e-mail client, calendar, and music player need to be changed. To do this, open the Detail applet in the System Settings, select Default and change the following:
   • E-mail = evolution
   • Calendar = evolution
   • Music = banshee
7. I also disable the Guest Account. To do this:

   • copy the following command into a Terminal: gksudo gedit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf

   • this will open the lightdm configuration file in an editor.

   • add a new line at the end of the profile and insert the following text: allow-guest=false

   • save the file and close the editor.
   • this will take effect on the next reboot of the workstation

Other PPA Sources

This is software that has been developed for Ubuntu by various community sources and packaged in Personal Package Archives. The process to install this software consists of adding the PPA to the archive, updating the software list, and adding the software to the current installation.

Nvidia Drivers

There are issues with the Nvidia Drivers that are contained in the Ubuntu archives. There is a PPA that contains the updated drivers that appear to work correctly.

After installing these drivers, reboot the workstation.

External Software

This is software that is not installed from the repositories.

Flash-Aid

Flash-aid is a Firefox add-on. The purpose is to remove conflicting flash player add-ons in ubuntu and install the correct version based on system architecture. It is added using the Add-on procedure (found under the Tools menu in Firefox). Once installed, there is an icon on the Firefox toolbar. Clicking on the icon will start a guided process to install or update the flash player.

Fluendo

Fluendo Group is a company that specializes in the creation and distribution of gstreamer codecs for various audio and video formats. The benefit of using these is that they include a license for the codec. They include codecs for Windows Media Lossless format and several other proprietary formats. The fees are very reasonable (IMHO) and I have been using them since 2008. They recently have been included in the Ubuntu store. Their website is http://www.fluendo.com. The licenses are purchased for a specific term. During the term you may download and install any updates to the number of computers covered by the license. I don't run virtual machines, so I don't know how the licensing works in that environment.

Once paid for, you may go to their download page and download the appropriate file for your system (either 32-bit or 64-bit for your distribution). Once the download is complete, you then double-click on the file to install it. It will be installed using the Ubuntu Software Center.

Oracle Java

This is installed from Personal Package Archive (ppa).

There are two components to Oracle Java - the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) which is used to execute Java programs and the JDK (Java Development Kit) which is used in the development of Java programs. Java was first created by Sun Microsystems. The original software license allowed for Linux distros, including Ubuntu, to maintain the packages in their archives, simplifying the installation. Oracle Corporation purchased Sun Microsystems in 2011. The license terms for Java have been changed in such a way that Linux distros can no longer directly maintain the package within their archives.

A group of users, collectively referred to as webupd8, maintain a number of PPA archives in !Launchpad. One of the PPAs includes a program to install Oracle Java from the Oracle website. This is a simple method to install Oracle Java. In this case, this installs the JDK, which also includes the JRE. The current version is Oracle Java 7.

1. Add the PPA to the software sources. The following command may be entered in a terminal: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java

2. Update the package listing on the local machine. The following command may be intered in a terminal: sudo apt-get update

3. Execute the installer. The following command may be entered in a terminal: sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer

4. Update the Java configuration to use the Oracle Java. The following command may be entered in a terminal: sudo update-alternatives --config java

This will present a short text-based menu in which the installed Java versions will be displayed. Enter the number for the desired Java version.

If you ever want to remove the Oracle Java, then the following command may be entered in a terminal: sudo apt-get remove oracle-java7-installer

Eclipse

Prior to installing Eclipse, ensure that the Oracle Java software has been installed and is the current version.

This is a general purpose IDE used for development. This is installed directly from the website (http://www.eclipse.org), since the version of eclipse in the repositories is not current.

These instructions have been updated to Eclipse 4.2 (Juno).

Overview

When this installation is complete:

• The eclipse program files will be installed in the /opt/eclipse folder.
• A user group called 'eclipse' will exist and authorized users will be associated with that group.
• All entries in the /opt/eclipse folder will: be owned by root, be associated with the eclipse group.
• The eclipse group will have full access to the entries in the folder. Other users will have read-only access.

• There will be a launch item in Applications > Programming that will start eclipse.

• Specific update sites will be added to the Available Software sites in the eclipse installation.

Installation Instructions

1. Verify that any previous installation has been completely removed. In particular, the following needs to be verified:
   1. There is no eclipse folder under /opt. If there is, it must be deleted. Sudo access will be required to delete the folder.
   2. There is no eclipse folder under /usr/local/share. If there is, it must be deleted. Sudo access will be required to delete the folder.
   3. There is no entry for eclipse in either /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin. If there is, then the entry must be deleted.
   4. There is no entry for eclipse.desktop in /usr/share/applications. If there is, then the entry must be deleted.
   5. There is no configuration files for eclipse in the users' home folders. These are hidden directories. If there are any, these must be deleted.
2. Verify that there is a group called 'eclipse' and that users are authorized in that group:

   1. Select System > Administration > Users and Groups.

   2. Select Unlock and provide your password.
   3. Select Manage Groups
   4. Scroll the list to determine if there is a group called 'eclipse'. If there is not, then add the group.
   5. Ensure that all users, including root, are members of the eclipse group.

3. Obtain the appropriate file from http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/. Only one of the packages is required. The file should be saved to the Downloads folder.

4. When the download has been completed, open a Terminal and execute the following commands:

   • cd ~/Downloads	Change to where the file was downloaded
     tar xzf eclipse-rcp-juno-linux-gtk-x86_64.tar.gz	This will extract the installation files from the download file. Note that the filename may differ, depending on what was downloaded in step 3. In this particular case, the file is for the RCP and RAP Development
     sudo mv eclipse /opt/eclipse	Move the files to a folder under the /opt folder. /opt is the normal folder where external applications are installed.
     cd /opt	Change to the /opt folder.
     sudo chown -R root:eclipse eclipse	Change the owner to root and the group to eclipse.
     sudo chmod -R 775 eclipse	Owner and members of the group can read/write/delete, other users have read access.
     sudo chmod +x /opt/eclipse/eclipse	The Eclipse program file must be executable.

5. If running Unity (ubuntu 11.04 or later), the application may be added to the launcher. To add to the launcher:

   1. Open a Terminal and copy the following command: gksudo gedit /usr/share/applications/eclipse.desktop

   2. Copy and paste the following lines into the file:

[Desktop Entry]
Version=4.2.0
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Exec=/opt/eclipse/eclipse
Name=Eclipse (Juno)
Icon=/opt/eclipse/icon.xpm
X-Ayatana-Desktop-Shortcuts=Eclipse

[Programming Shortcut Group]
Name=Eclipse (Juno)
Exec=/opt/eclipse/eclipse
TargetEnvironment=Unity

1. Save the file and close gedit and the terminal.
2. Start eclipse from the Launcher.
3. When Eclipse is open, there will be an icon in the launcher. Right click on the icon and select the keep in launcher option.
4. When Eclipse is closed, the icon will remain in the launcher.

LightScribe

If you have a LightScribe enabled disc drive, then there is software available that will allow you to prepare disc labels in Ubuntu. This is installed from the LightScribe website.

1. Obtain the software from: LightScribe website.

2. If installing on a 32-bit installation:
   1. Install the software. There are two components. The core software must be installed first, then the Application.
3. If installing on a 64-bit installation:
   1. Open a Terminal.
   2. Execute the following commands in sequence:

      • cd ~/Downloads	This will move you to the directory where the downloaded files are saved.
        sudo dpkg -i --force architecture lightscribe-1.18.26.7-linux-2.6-intel.deb	This installs the system software. Note that the version number may be different, depending on what was downloaded from the LightScribe website.
        sudo dpkg -i --force architecture lightscribeApplications-1.18.15.1-linux-2.6-intel.deb	This installs the Simple Labeler application. Note that the version number may be different, depending on what was downloaded from the LightScribe website.
        sudo ldconfig	This resolves some configuration issues.
        sudo /usr/lib/lightscribe/elcu.sh	This utility is used to set whether the labels will be printed darker or lighter.

4. The following entry should be placed in /usr/share/applications/lightscribe.desktop:

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.18.15.1
Type=Application
Terminal=false
Exec=/opt/lightscribeApplications/SimpleLabeler/SimpleLabeler
Name=LightScribe Disc Labeler
Icon=/opt/lightscribeApplications/SimpleLabeler/content/images/LabelWizardIcon.png
X-Ayatana-Desktop-Shortcuts=SimpleLabeler

[Accessories Shortcut Group]
Name=LightScribe Disc Labeler
Exec=/opt/lightscribeApplications/SimpleLabeler/SimpleLabeler
TargetEnvironment=Unity

Additional Microsoft Fonts

This process is used to install additional Microsoft fonts. Note that there are severe licensing restrictions. These fonts should only be installed if it is legal for you to do so.

The following process can be used to install Microsoft Office 2007 Fonts in ubuntu. A Terminal will be required.

• Download the PowerPoint Viewer	This will place the PowerPoint reader from Microsoft in the Downloads folder.
  sudo apt-get install cabextract	cabextract is installed already if ttf-mscorefonts-installer is already installed. If not, then this command may be used to install cabextract
  cabextract -F ppviewer.cab PowerPointViewer.exe	This will extract the files from the PowerPoint viewer
  sudo mkdir /usr/share/fonts/vista	This will setup a fonts directory for the fonts.
  sudo cabextract -F '*.TT?' -d /usr/share/fonts/vista ppviewer.cab	This will extract the fonts to the new directory
  fc-cache -fv	This will update the fonts cache.

CategorySoftwareInstallation