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I've noticed that Ubuntu 10.10 manages single .deb files with the Ubuntu Software Center. Since I find it too heavy to load I've installed gdebi with: sudo apt-get install gdebi and I've set it as default application to open any .deb file.

My question is: is it safe/supported to use this kind of operation? I mean: does gdebi still relate to internal apt-get to satisfy dependencies and install .deb files?

karel
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Andrea Grandi
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3 Answers3

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It should be just fine to use gdebi the way you are using it.

Both accomplish the same thing. Gdebi does relate to internal apt-get to satisfy dependencies and install .debs. It worked in previous versions of Ubuntu, it will work in Maverick.

dv3500ea
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gamerchick02
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4

Gdebi is still part of the standard Kubuntu installation and it still works the same there as it used to. As I understand it, the reason why it was removed in Ubuntu has nothing to do with problems with Gdebi, but rather with improvements to Software Center that made it extraneous.

I say, go for it.

LinuxCanuck
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It is PERFECTLY safe. I frequently prefer to use the lightweight GDebi instead of Software Center, especially during the SC installation bug period.

Samizdata
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    It's perfectly safe assuming the source .DEB is safe. :) – Broam Nov 11 '10 at 21:14
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    @Broam: Yes, but in that case using Software Center will not make it any better, unless the SC has some special way of protecting against unsafe debs. – Boris B. Jun 12 '12 at 09:05