Installing applications in Linux (part II)

Hamish Taylor
Tuesday, 08 July 2008 18:28

Opinion and Analysis

In my last article I discussed two ways of installing applications on Ubuntu Linux. In this article I will be discussing two other methods for installing applications, which are roughly the same as downloading and installing a program from the internet.
A few readers commented and pointed out that the information I provided didn't work for them. I am using Canonical's Ubuntu Linux distribution. I tried quite a few Linux distributions before settling on Ubuntu as it worked the best with the "Linux-unfriendly" hardware of my laptop.

Now that I have pretty much worked out the basics I will be sticking with it and having some fun playing with some of the more advanced stuff. I can get the Ubuntu 3D Desktop to work on hardware on which Vista would just curl up it toes and die!
 
I am primarily writing these articles to show that using Linux is not scary and that ordinary people can use it happily if they know how to do a few basic things. I make no apologies for using Ubuntu and the instructions I include in my articles are for Ubuntu. If you'd like to know how to install an application or package for another distribution, try me, I might be able to help. If not, I can point you in the direction of people who certainly will be able to help.
 
So, you have found an application that you want to install and use on (Ubuntu) Linux. You have searched in Add/Remove Applications and in Synaptic, but it is not there (or there's an older version there that just won't cut it for you). What can you do now? Have no fear!

Please read on to page 2 for all to be revealed.