How do you install stuff in linux?

[Guest]

I used Ubuntu on my crappy laptop for about a year before I got my desktop, and I switched back to windows. Linux appears to be growing in popularity and I wanted to ask about my one big complaint about linux; How do you install stuff? What I mean is, outside the software store, programs come in a million different file formats seemingly with a different way to install them all. I spent many hours googling to to install weird file formats with no results.

[Levent]

wget www.xvideos.com/app.deb
sudo dpkg -i app.deb

[Guest]

wget www.xvideos.com/app.deb

sudo dpkg -i app.deb

I remember using dpkg, but what about .tar and .tar.gz?

[Dredgy]

Usually dpkg or straight with apt-get.

In the case of circumstance where those aren't an option, I've had good results with swearing loudly at the computer for several hours.

[Guest]

Usually dpkg or apt-get.

In the case of circumstance where those aren't an option, I've had good results with swearing loudly at the computer for several hours.

"DAMN linux, and it's new fangled file formats!! In my day to get new content, you just walked down to the mailbox! Uphill both ways!

 

That could be a series, grandpa uses linux.

[elkenrod]

I remember using dpkg, but what about .tar and .tar.gz?

 

Good guide here.

 

Toward the bottom it talks about .tar files.  And there is a link if you need to know how to compile programs from source.

After you've done it twice it isn't difficult at all.

[Flyguygamer]

wget www.xvideos.com/app.deb

sudo dpkg -i app.deb

I like apt-get 

 

Usually dpkg or straight with apt-get.

In the case of circumstance where those aren't an option, I've had good results with swearing loudly at the computer for several hours.

+1 on apt-get

-500000000093843948239048324730947384072390483247802390472357268907426 on swearing at the computer.

[Flyguygamer]

"DAMN linux, and it's new fangled file formats!! In my day to get new content, you just walked down to the mailbox! Uphill both ways!

 

That could be a series, grandpa uses linux.

Actually, both of my grandma's run linux.

Eos and Ubuntu

 

And they love it.

So does one of my grandpa's. 

The only grandparent I have that doesn't use linux is the one that has had Parkinson's Disease for 18 years.

[Levent]

I like apt-get 

 

+1 on apt-get

-500000000093843948239048324730947384072390483247802390472357268907426 on swearing at the computer.

I took the case as it was not in the app repo and of course i prefer apt-get install too.

[Flyguygamer]

I took the case as it was not in the app repo and of course i prefer apt-get install too.

Oh, okay.

 

I only teach apt-get to my grandparents because I don't want to have to explain compiling from source and things like that, is that bad?

[Guest]

Oh, okay.

 

I only teach apt-get to my grandparents because I don't want to have to explain compiling from source and things like that, is that bad?

I don't help my family with tech generally, because I fixed my mom's computer by de-fragging, deleting unnecessary crap, removing viruses, updating things and she told me she liked it better the other way.

[Flyguygamer]

I don't help my family with tech generally, because I fixed my mom's computer by de-fragging, deleting unnecessary crap, removing viruses, updating things and she told me she liked it better the other way.

That happens with one of my grandpa's.

 

I do it because if I don't, no one will. 

 

So I do it and then just move them to linux to avoid crapware. Makes my job a lot easier. Also One of my grandma's always gives me a 20 for it so I am not just wasting time. No, my job is a different story.

[Satlen]

It depends on which distro you are using. It varies witch each one.

[osbios]

If you just want to install mainstream software then the normal repository makes your life really really ease.

 

On Debian based systems you mostly use PPAs instead of deb files this days. It integrates better into the package management, manages updates and its easier to remove.

 

The biggest(!) shortcoming of Distributions is that they often don't maintain ABI (Aplication Binary Interface) compatibility of there librarys. So you are forced to compile from source if you don't get the software from repository or PPA.

[Opcode]

I personally prefer using official repositories for obtaining my software. I'm reassured that they are the latest version and the system will automatically keep the software up to date.

 

See my guide here for more information.

[LogicalDrm]

On Ubuntu... I usually google software I want and add ubuntu next to it. Gives me all needed terminal commands

[CrzyBvr68]

If your using ubuntu you install using sudo apt-get  or use the ubuntu software center