Ubuntu Desktop Computing Made Easy (Ubuntu 9.04)

This documentation is intended for folks that would like to add additional programs and applications to their Ubuntu Desktop installation making their overall experience similar to that of other well known operating systems (less the huge software expense).
Recommended: 1.3 GHz Pentium 4 or higher workstation with 1Gb physical memory, 256 Mb graphics card, 10/100 Ethernet card and 20+ Gb hard disk. If you install everything I've listed it takes up about 4 Gb on your hard drive (I use ext4 disk formatting but the default ext3 formatting is fine).

Multimedia functionality and collaborative applications are a big part of the Internet these days, this post is oriented towards installing useful codecs, plug-ins, programs and applications. Please keep in mind older computers may have video performance issues due to high CPU usage and increased memory requirements.

The easiest way to perform most of these installs is to copy and paste from this post into a terminal window (found in Accessories). I strongly suggest installing a few things at a time, testing each along the way.

• Start by going to System > Administration > Software Sources > Check the first four boxes(leave Source code unticked) under the Ubuntu Software and Updates tabs > Close and Reload

Get all the available Ubuntu updates at this point, look for the update notification icon on the task bar. Reboot after updating your system and then install as many of the following as you wish...again, I suggest installing a few things at a time, testing each along the way.

• If you're having slowness issues with the default repository go to System > Administration > Software Sources > Ubuntu Software tab > Download from: drop down menu > Other > click Select Best Server and when it finishes the query click Choose Server > Close and Reload.

Many of these installations require access to the Medibuntu Repository and enabling some additional software sources. Directions are on this site or if you have Ubuntu 9.04 "Jaunty Jackalope" simply do the following from a terminal window:

sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/jaunty.list --output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get update

Several codecs and plug-ins are needed for playing a variety multimedia formats correctly...(installing ubuntu-restricted-extras can sometimes be problematic, try this method if you've experienced issues).

sudo apt-get install gstreamer0.10-plugins-good
gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly
gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-pitfdll
gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mp3
gstreamer0.10-gnonlin gstreamer0.10-plugins-farsight gstreamer0.10-sdl
gstreamer-dbus-media-service gstreamer-tools

Install these as well (some may be installed at this point, no worries)

$ sudo apt-get install realplayer w32codecs libdvdcss2 libxine1-ffmpeg
debhelper fakeroot libfftw3-dev jackd sidplay-base liblrdf0-dev
xsidplay mplayer avifile-divx-plugin avifile-xvid-plugin dh-make
g++-multilib g++-4.3-multilib gcc-4.3-doc libstdc++6-4.3-dbg cvs
gettext-doc jack-tools libjackasyn0 avifile-mad-plugin
avifile-mjpeg-plugin avifile-player avifile-utils avifile-vorbis-plugin
avifile-win32-plugin libcurl3-dbg libgcrypt11-doc libggi-target-emu
libggi-target-monotext libggimisc2 gnutls-doc gnutls-bin guile-gnutls
krb5-doc libraptor1-doc libstdc++6-4.3-doc mplayer-doc diff-doc

Last but not least...

$sudo apt-get install easytag faac faad ffmpeg ffmpeg2theora flac
gxine icedax id3tool id3v2 lame liba52-0.7.4-dev libavfilter0
libflac++6 libid3-3.8.3c2a libjpeg-progs libmozjs0d libmp4v2-0
libmpg123-0 libsox-fmt-alsa libsox-fmt-base libsox1 mpeg2dec
mpeg3-utils mpegdemux mpg123 mpg321 libamrnb3 libamrwb3 sox tagtool
toolame vorbis-tools gecko-mediaplayer

Install some fonts, Adobe Flash too…

sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts mplayer-fonts ttf-xfree86-nonfree xfs
sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

Install the latest Sun Java JRE

sudo apt-get install gsfonts-x11 java-common odbcinst1debian1
sun-java6-bin sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin unixodbc

ATI and Nvidia Drivers and Desktop Effects

This requires some effort on the part of the user to know exactly what graphics card they have installed, use with caution and please read all applicable instructions or notes along the way.

The new Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope system comes with a Nouveau display graphic driver by default and the advanced effects cannot be used. If you've already tried to enable restricted Ubuntu drivers and ATI/nVidia cannot be found in the list try installing the ATI/nVidia driver with this tutorial:

1. Run Applications>Add/Remove
2. From the left menu choose System Tools
3. Next from the right menu, find and select for install: Desktop Effects (Compiz Setup) and ATI/Nvidia binary X.org Driver (nVidia could be version 173 or 177). Selecting the driver will get the list of supported graphics cards.
4. Click Apply Changes and after installation go to System>Administration>Hardware Drivers
5. The system will search for available drivers, choose the recommended option from the list and activate the driver by clicking Activate.
6. Restart your system and the new ATI/nVidia graphic display driver will be in use.

Unsupported updated versions of X.org drivers, libraries, etc. for Ubuntu https://edge.launchpad.net/~ubuntu-x...hive/x-updates

Note: Import the key and add the repositories for your specific distribution in System > Administration > Software Sources then run sudo apt-get update from a terminal window.

Compiz, Emerald and Screenlets

The default Ubuntu display setup lets you choose from None, Normal or Extra. Make it a lot more configurable with the CompizConfig Settings Manager...found in System > Preferences after installing the following:
sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager gnome-art usplash startupmanager compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra emerald screenlets librsvg2-common fusion-icon

Notes: Make sure you enable Visual Effects "Extra" (right click on your desktop, choose change Desktop Background and click on the Visual Effects tab) before adusting Compiz settings. Reset Compiz defaults by going into CCSM > Preferences > Profile & Backend > Click Reset to defaults.


Audacious is essentially a lot like WinAmp®.
sudo apt-get install audacious

Note: In order to open .m3u files with Audacious set Nautilus (preferences -> behavior tab) to always "view" the file and not ask.

Some folks like the Amarok player.
sudo apt-get install amarok

Esperanza has excellent sound quality but somewhat questionable features and functionality.
sudo apt-get install esperanza xmms2

Kaffeine is my favorite DVD player software. (install realplayer w32codecs libxine1-ffmpeg and libdvdcss2 first).
sudo apt-get install kaffeine

Notes: In Kaffeine be sure to verify the decoder references under Settings and xine Engine Parameters to reflect the correct paths to Realplayer, Win32 codecs and your DVD drive. I ran into a folder permissions issue in my home folder when launching kaffeine, if you experience this very carefully use these commands from a terminal window:
sudo chown -R username:username ~/.kde (put in your "username")
sudo chmod -R 700 ~/.kde

VLC media player is a highly portable multimedia player for many audio and video formats.
sudo apt-get install vlc vlc-plugin-esd mozilla-plugin-vlc

Ardour is a digital audio workstation. record, edit and mix multi-track audio.
sudo apt-get install ardour

soundKonverter converts a large variety of audio formats into ones that you desire.
sudo apt-get install soundkonverter

Jokosher is a complete application for recording, editing, mixing and exporting audio.
sudo apt-get install jokosher

LMMS can produce music including loops, synthesizing and mixing sounds, arranging samples, etc.
sudo apt-get install lmms

Gnutella is a lot like Limewire or Morpheus (see Firewalls and avast! sections below before using).
sudo apt-get install gtk-gnutella

Frostwire is similar to Gnutella (see Firewalls and avast! sections below before using).
http://www.frostwire.com/

Note: Your Java JRE is not broken and the Frostwire package is not corrupt but there is a known issue that causes the install to fail when using the Ubuntu GDebi Package Installer. The latest release of FrostWire requires that you install it from a terminal window sudo dpkg -i frostwire-4.18.1.i586.deb Be aware that the program installs as the root user, when the application launches complete the install process and then relaunch as the current user from Applications > Internet > FrostWire. You should have complete functionality now, customize as desired.

Streamripper will allow you to download internet radio station broadcasts.
sudo apt-get install streamripper

Shoutcast is a good place to shop for internet radio stations. http://www.shoutcast.com/

Vuze can be handy for things not found with Gnutella (see Firewalls and avast! sections below before using).
sudo apt-get install vuze

AceoneISO2 is a CD/DVD image manipulator for Linux (used primarily with .iso files).
http://www.getdeb.net/search.php?keywords=acetoneiso

DeVeDe creates video DVDs and CDs (VCD, sVCD or CVD) from video files in formats supported by MPlayer.
sudo apt-get install devede

K9copy is a free open source DVD backup, copying, compression and authoring utility (requires libdvdcss2).
sudo apt-get install k9copy

AcidRip for converting videos into popular formats.
sudo apt-get install acidrip

K3b is a feature-rich and easy to handle CD/DVD burning application.
sudo apt-get install k3b

Various compression/extraction and encoding/decoding utilities...
sudo apt-get install unace rar unrar zip unzip p7zip-full p7zip-rar sharutils aish uudeview mpack lha arj cabextract file-roller

avast! makes a very good anti-virus product for Linux it can be downloaded free for home use from http://avast.com/eng/download-avast-...x-edition.html You'll need the home user free registration key (emailed to you from their site). The key can be pasted into a terminal window after you type avast at a terminal command prompt. The gui icon is located in Applications > Accessories. Update the program frequently and scan all questionable downloads.

Setup your Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail accounts in Thunderbird (use POP port 1024)
http://webmail.mozdev.org/index.html

Thunderbird is a light weight and very popular email client.
sudo apt-get install thunderbird

Filter out spam email in Thunderbird with SpamAssassin.
sudo apt-get install spamassassin

Sunbird is one of the best open source calendars.
sudo apt-get install sunbird lightning-extension

Skype lets you talk and chat with friends all over the world.
sudo apt-get install skype

Note: You might have to configure your Options > Sound Devices > Sound In/Sound Out within Skype and test with the Echo/Sound test Service. I also had to enable and adjust my Ubuntu Volume Controls > Preferences > Mic and Mic Boost settings.

Fonts, fonts and more fonts...for use in a variety of word processing applications (pick and choose).
sudo apt-get install ttf-larabie-straight ttf-larabie-deco xfonts-terminus-dos xfonts-terminus xfonts-terminus-oblique xfonts-mona tv-fonts ttf-tuffy ttf-sjfonts ttf-georgewilliams ttf-fifthhorseman-dkg-handwriting ttf-essays1743 ttf-opensymbol ttf-mgopen ttf-freefont ttf-dustin ttf-dejavu-extra ttf-dejavu-core ttf-dejavu ttf-bpg-georgian-fonts ttf-bitstream-vera equivs ttf-sil-gentium gnome-specimen

Note: Postfix is related to some of these fonts, be careful not to modify your Postfix configurations if you're using it for email purposes, otherwise use the default settings if/when prompted.

I typically don’t use the Arabic and Asian fonts, to remove them from a terminal window type:
sudo apt-get remove ttf-kochi-mincho ttf-kochi-gothic ttf-arabeyes ttf-arphic-ukai ttf-arphic-uming ttf-baekmuk ttf-bengali-fonts ttf-devanagari-fonts ttf-gentium ttf-gujarati-fonts ttf-indic-fonts ttf-kannada-fonts ttf-kochi-gothic ttf-lao ttf-malayalam-fonts ttf-mgopen ttf-oriya-fonts ttf-punjabi-fonts ttf-tamil-fonts ttf-telugu-fonts ttf-thai-tlwg ttf-unfonts-core ttf-indic-fonts-core ttf-wqy-zenhei

Note: Add them by simply using install instead of remove.

HP printer driver issues? http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/downloads.html

Adobe still makes one of the best .pdf viewers.
sudo apt-get install acroread acroread-fonts

PDFedit is editor for manipulating PDF documents.
sudo apt-get install pdfedit

AbiWord is a fast and easy to use word processing program similar to Microsoft® Word.
sudo apt-get install abiword

gLabels is a program for creating labels and business cards for the GNOME desktop environment.
sudo apt-get install glabels

iSpell comes in handy when spell checking documents from a terminal window
sudo apt-get install ispell

Wordnet is a comprehensive word database maintained by Princeton University
sudo apt-get install wordnet

The web interface for Wordnet is http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

FBReader is an e-book reader for various platforms.
sudo apt-get install fbreader

Dia is similar to Microsoft® Visio.
sudo apt-get install dia

GanttProject is a tool for creating a project schedule with Gantt and resource load charts.
http://ganttproject.biz/download.php

Planner for Gant charts and project plans.
sudo apt-get install planner

Scribus is a desktop publishing application.
sudo apt-get install scribus

Inkscape for illustrations.
sudo apt-get install inkscape

Gimp is an incredible image editing application.
sudo apt-get install gimp gimp-data-extras gimp-gap gimp-plugin-registry

Xara Xtreme is a user friendly vector graphics drawing program.
sudo apt-get install xaralx

Blender is open source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, interactive creation and playback.
sudo apt-get install blender

webKam is simple webcam application http://code.google.com/p/webkam-kde4/downloads/list

Elltube is a YouTube downloader and converter http://elltube.sourceforge.net/download

A complete Web Authoring System for Linux desktop users to rival programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver.
sudo apt-get install kompozer

If you program in C\C++ languages you’ll need Build-Essential packages.
sudo apt-get install build-essential

Geany is a fast and lightweight IDE for programming in various languages.
sudo apt-get install geany

Vim may come in handy for file editing (gedit works good too).
sudo apt-get install vim-full vim-doc cscope

Cream is add-on software for Vim that adds ease of use and functionality.
sudo apt-get install cream

Gedit (Text Editor in Accessories) is installed by default but the plugins are not...
sudo apt-get install gedit-plugins

Note: Enable Gedit plugins in Edit > Preferences > Plugins.
The Gedit wiki is at http://live.gnome.org/Gedit

jEdit is a java based full featured editor (make sure you have Sun JRE installed).
sudo apt-get install jedit

Meld is a visual diff and merge tool.
sudo apt-get install meld

gFTP is a generic FTP client (port 21 is typical and consider file permissions when uploading).
sudo apt-get install gftp

Convert .rpm files to .deb http://www.howtoforge.com/converting...deb_with_alien
sudo apt-get install alien

Htop is a process manager to view available memory and CPU usage or manage running processes.
sudo apt-get install htop

Sysinfo is a simple program which displays your computer's system information.
sudo apt-get install sysinfo

HardInfo displays info about the hardware, software, and can perform simple benchmarks.
sudo apt-get install hardinfo

Byzanz records your desktop and saves it to animated GIF files (viewable in a web browser).
sudo apt-get install byzanz

Note: Byzanz is a panel applet and not listed in Applications, add it by right-clicking the panel and selecting Add to Panel > Desktop Recorder. Desktop effects have to be turned off to use Byzanz. More information is available by typing man byzanz-record from a terminal window.

Fish (the applet, not the shell) is a fun animated panel applet that tells fortunes.
sudo apt-get fortune-mod fortunes-min librecode0

Note: Add the panel applet by right-clicking the panel and selecting Add to Panel > Fish.

Wink creates advanced tutorials and presentations.
sudo apt-get install wink

Glipper is a clipboard manager for the GNOME panel.
sudo apt-get install glipper

Note: If Clipboard manager does not appear in the panel applet menu, in a terminal window cd /usr/lib/glipper then run ./glipper It should allow you to add it as a panel applet at this point. The keyboard shortcut is c

GNOME Commander is a "two-pane" graphical filemanager for the Gnome desktop environment.
sudo apt-get install gnome-commander

Add some useful features to nautilus...
sudo apt-get install nautilus-actions nautilus-gksu nautilus-image-converter nautilus-open-terminal nautilus-script-audio-convert nautilus-script-collection-svn nautilus-script-manager nautilus-sendto nautilus-share nautilus-wallpaper

NTFS Configuration Tool mounts NTFS drives (2000/XP/2003/Vista).
sudo apt-get install ntfs-config
gksudo ntfs-config

Note: Found in System > Administration.

luckyBackup...a powerful, fast and reliable backup & sync tool http://luckybackup.sourceforge.net/download.html

Partimage system backup, instructions can be found at: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partimage
sudo apt-get install partimage

KDE Partition Manager allows you to manage your disks, partitions and file systems:
sudo apt-get install partitionmanager

GParted is the GNOME partition editor for creating, reorganizing and deleting disk partitions.
sudo apt-get install gparted

Note: Documentation can be found at http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

Reconstructor will help you create your own Ubuntu based distribution http://www.reconstructor.org/index.p...tpage&Itemid=1

Defrag (or fidefrag I should say)

sudo apt-get install bzr python-psyco
bzr branch lp:fidefrag
cd fidefrag/src
sudo python fidefrag.py -d /

Note: It's not a good idea to defrag your whole system, some directories won't react very well. I typically defrag /usr (this one takes a long time), /var, /lib, /home, /etc, /bin and /sbin

Google Earth install: http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2009/0...h-5-on-ubuntu/

Show wallpaper or background color while logging in to Ubuntu: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=753261

Rainy days or a lot of time to kill?
sudo apt-get install frozen-bubble

Kids in the house?
sudo apt-get install gcompris gcompris-sound-en tuxpaint gnucap


Firewalls

Internet security is important these days and firewalls can be quite complex, hopefully the following will help...use only one of these two applications and please read all of the documentation first. Most people are already behind a broadband router configured to give you "TruStealth" protection on the internet...check your current protection at the Sheilds Up! link below before being too concerned.

ufw ("uncomplicated firewall" included with Ubuntu), by default is set to "allow" all network traffic, the wiki instructions are at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Un...d_Firewall_ufw then sudo ufw enable the firewall at system startup.

Personally I would rather use the gui interface for ufw...
sudo apt-get install gufw

Firestarter is quite easy to configure https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Firestarter
sudo apt-get install firestarter

Load Firestarter at startup: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/firestarte...u-desktop.html
Note: In nano the ^ is the Ctrl key on most keyboards http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/reu/nano.html

Check your firewall protection at Sheilds Up! (click Proceed and use the All Service Ports option).
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Wireshark is a full featured network protocol analyzer.
sudo apt-get install wireshark


Simple file encryption using GnuPG

From a terminal window in the directory where the file is stored:
gpg -c (encrypts, prompts twice for pass-phrase, creates )
gpg (decrypts, prompts for pass-phrase)

Notes: The source file can be deleted or moved after encryption. Sometimes when decrypting the pass-phrase prompt will pop-up behind the pinentry window. Type man gpg from a terminal window for more options. If you would like more advanced file encryption with keys and signatures visit http://www.gnupg.org/documentation/howtos.en.html for more information.

Advanced file encryption with GNU Privacy Assistant (use with caution and knowledge)
sudo apt-get install gpa


The Jaunty wiki can be found here http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Jaunty

Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) How-To http://www.funnestra.org/ubuntu/intrepid/

The UNR (Ubuntu Netbook Remix) wiki is here https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UNR

The Ubuntu Pocket Guide can be found at http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/download_main.html

Ubuntu Desktop Essentials http://www.techotopia.com/index.php/...top_Essentials

Best 100 Open Source Applications http://ubuntulinuxhelp.com/top-100-o...-applications/

Best 50 Ubuntu Opensource Applications For Design And Developing http://www.emmaalvarez.com/2007/12/t...pensource.html

GetDeb software site for Ubuntu and Debian http://www.getdeb.net/

Gnome Desktop software site http://www.gnomefiles.org/

KDE-Apps.org http://www.kde-apps.org/

Cool wallpaper and more http://www.kde-look.org/


Procedure to enable WPA Wireless in Ubuntu

Sometimes wireless adapters (usually internal ones) don’t want to work right after the initial Ubuntu operating system install, even if the system recognises the hardware. The following should help if you’re in that situation.

If you have wired Internet connectivity update the software sources list sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install wpasupplicant (may already be installed)

sudo apt-get install network-manager-gnome network-manager (may already be installed)

sudo gedit /etc/network/interfaces Comment out the lines without “lo” entries (using #) and save the file, if you have just installed Ubuntu this may not be necessary.

Create a file by: sudo gedit /etc/default/wpasupplicant, add entry ENABLED=0 and save the file.

sudo touch /etc/default/wpasupplicant

Reboot your system.

When prompted to connect to a wireless network, select the desired one and enter in the key if necessary.


Maximus Issues (windows always maximize when an application is launched)

If you have a Netbook and auto maximize windows is driving you crazy try this from a terminal window: type gconf-editor then go to Apps > Maximus > check no_maximize


If Firefox windows open off screen or are too large to use, you may need to reset Firefox's controls and toolbars.

1. Close down Firefox completely: On the Firefox window, click the File menu then select Exit.
2. From a terminal window type: firefox -safe-mode
3. Firefox should start up with a Firefox Safe Mode dialog with options.
4. Check mark Reset toolbars and controls.
5. Click Make Changes and Restart to restart Firefox


Get your Trash Can and other desktop icons back...

The default for new installed Ubuntu is clean desktop. So, for example, if you want to get your Trash Icon back you need to change the default setting.

Step 1. Run Desktop Configuration Editor

Open Application > Accessories > Terminal and type gconf-editor.

Step 2. Change the value for trash_icon_visible

After the Desktop configuration Editor is displayed, open apps > nautilus > desktop and click the value for trash_icon_visible. This also works for your computer, home and network icons.


Setup Samba peer-to-peer with Windows http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202605

Install Samba stuff
sudo apt-get install samba samba-common samba-tools smbclient swat samba-doc samba-doc-pdf smbfs libpam-smbpass libsmbclient libsmbclient-dev winbind samba-dbg libwbclient0

Once Samba is installed you can setup a very basic shared folder as follows:

You’ll need to create Samba passwords with this command:

sudo smbpasswd -a USERNAME

Make a backup copy of the original smb.conf file, in case you make an error:

sudo cp /etc/samba/smb.conf ~

Add a share to the very end of the file:

sudo gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf

[mystuff]
path = /home/USERNAME/mystuff
available = yes
valid users = USERNAME
read only = no
browsable = yes
public = yes
writable = yes

(There should be no spaces between the lines, and note also that there should be a single space both before and after each of the equal signs.)

Save the file and restart samba with this command:

sudo /etc/init.d/samba restart

Use this command from a terminal window to check that your smb.conf doesn’t contain any syntax errors: testparm

Don't forget to create your shared folder and modify the permissions as needed. You may also have to allow specific IP address TCP/UDP access through your firewall as well. Keep in mind if security is an issue to read up a lot more on the topic.


How to setup remote access http://www.techotopia.com/index.php/..._Linux_Desktop


Web based workstation and application administration

webmin and usermin can be found at http://www.webmin.com/usermin.html


CommuniGate Pro

CommuniGate Systems' goal is to consolidate all forms of Internet Communications into one address space, making the single address for email, IM, VoIP and video calling, more productive, portable, and independent of tariffs and tolls of closed network topologies. https://www.communigate.com/forms/cg...re_you_buy.php


Alternative shells for Linux...

C, K, T, Z & Fish shells
sudo apt-get install csh ksh tcsh zsh fish

Bash Reference Manual http://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/bashref.html

chmod calculator http://www.javascriptkit.com/script/...chmodcal.shtml


Adding a Personal Package Archive (PPA) to your Ubuntu repositories

Adding a PPA to Ubuntu takes no more than a couple of minutes.

Step 1: Copy the lines from the apt sources.list entries section of the PPA overview page. For example:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-wine/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-wine/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

Step 2: On your Ubuntu computer, open System > Administration > Software Sources.

Step 3: Click the Third Party Software tab.

Step 4: Click the Add button.

Step 5: Paste the individual lines copied in step 1 by clicking the Add Source button.

When prompted, reload the software sources information. Don't worry if you see a warning about unverified software sources; we're going to fix that next.

Adding the PPA's key to Ubuntu

Now Ubuntu knows about the PPA. It also needs to know how to check the software hasn't changed since Launchpad built it.

Note: This is not an endorsement of any of the software in PPAs. You must make sure you trust the PPA owner before installing their software.

Step 1: On the PPA's overview page you'll see the PPA's OpenPGP key id. It'll look something like this: 1024/12345678. Copy it, or make a note of, the portion after the slash, e.g: 12345678.

Step 2: Open your terminal and enter:

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 12345678

Replace 12345678 with the key id you copied in step 1.

Step 3: Finally, tell Ubuntu to re-load the details of each software archive it knows about:

sudo apt-get update

You're now ready to install software from the PPA, using a tool such as apt-get in the Terminal or Synaptic.


Collection of useful commands...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Searching for Packages: apt-cache search some_string
Show Package Info: apt-cache showpkg xxx
Show Package Dependencies: apt-cache depends xxx
Install: apt-get install xxx
Re-Install: apt-get --reinstall install xxx
Remove: apt-get remove xxx
Remove All (configs too): apt-get remove --purge xxx
Upgrade: apt-get -u upgrade
Show Upgrades: apt-show-versions -u
Show All Installed Packages: dpkg --list
Find Package by File Name: apt-file search /bin/ping
Find filenames in a Package: apt-file list xxx
Updating the apt-file Cache: apt-file update
Info on Installed Package aptitude show xxx
System Hardware Info sudo lshw > hardware.txt

Linux Command Directory http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/cmd/

Linux Commands - A practical reference http://www.pixelbeat.org/cmdline.html

Linux Newbie Administrator Guide http://linux-newbie.sunsite.dk/

Clean up your system and free up space with sudo apt-get clean and sudo apt-get autoremove

If you're curious (like me) or have the need to know uname -a && cat /etc/*release in a terminal window will tell you the kernel version and release date, the distro id/release/codename/description.


Ok, about wine...in most cases a free Linux program will work just as well (and in many cases better) as apps on that other well known operating system...but then again there are a lot of folks that use wine...this wiki should help https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wine

Three Ways to Install Latest Wine in Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope http://www.wine-reviews.net/wine-rev...ope/print.html

Wine Application Database (AppDB) http://appdb.winehq.org/