How do I open "apt" links in Firefox (in Lubuntu)?

Question

Many answers on Ask Ubuntu direct to links like this that in Xubuntu opened in Ubuntu Software Center. In Lubuntu I get this error message:

enter image description here

In Firefox-Preferences/Applications cannot see something resembling to apt to associate to a program etc.

enter image description here

Opening the same link in Chromium or Opera I get:

enter image description here

Clicking "I'm running Ubuntu" results in an error message like in Firefox.

What's the remedy? Can I install Ubuntu Software Center?

use apt://skype for example and install USC - Ubuntu Software Center — penreturns, Sep 03 '12 at 09:51

score 13 · Answer 1 · edited Sep 11 '13 at 10:20

13

Point the select application to:

/usr/bin/apturl

This sould solve the problem.

Don't forget to check "Remember".

edited Sep 11 '13 at 10:20

Alaa Ali

31,535

answered Sep 11 '13 at 09:48

limovala

231
2
4

1

Use the command sudo apt install apturl-common to install the apturl tool if not already installed, then reload the apt: page – Zac Nov 06 '16 at 15:06
I cannot change the apt link association once I clicked "remember", any idea how to undo it??? – Yan King Yin Mar 27 '18 at 19:17

score 11 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24

11

All you need to do is install the (Ubuntu) Software Center in Lubuntu.

Open a terminal, and type sudo apt-get install software-center. Then, the first time you click on a APT link in Firefox should give you the below popup, after which such links should open automatically:

enter image description here

Beside Ubuntu Software Center, a much lighter application (AptUrl) can be used to handle "apt://" protocol/links: see this answer to a related question.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24

Community

1

answered Sep 03 '12 at 09:04

ish

139,926

well, thnx, i already got that a few sec before. but i have a new question: http://askubuntu.com/q/183517/47206 – Sep 03 '12 at 09:10
Oops, sorry, didn't notice that since I was already typing :) I'm looking at the other question. – ish Sep 03 '12 at 09:17
If he is on 12.04, is it not possible to use Lubuntu software-center instead? – jokerdino Sep 03 '12 at 10:39
LSC does not support the apt handler. (notice there are no MimeType lines in lsc.desktop) – ish Sep 03 '12 at 10:42
Considering that Ubuntu 13.10 software center doesn't have this functionality anymore by default, I doubt this will work. – NoBugs Dec 12 '13 at 04:37
I cannot change the apt link association once it's fixed... any idea? – Yan King Yin Mar 27 '18 at 19:16

score 4 · Answer 3 · edited Aug 06 '13 at 17:07

The issue is solved after installing Ubuntu Software Center, which was not installed.

sudo apt-get install software-center

Now, after opening that link in Firefox, it offers the normal option to open that link in Ubuntu Software Center, and to remember that option. Also, following this, apt appears in the list from Firefox' Preferences/Applications:

Preferences/Applications Screenshot

green · Answer 4 · 2012-09-03T08:50:46.937

1

Here is what Firefox support page says about this:

The Applications panel has limited functionality for editing. You can change the action for an existing file type but you cannot add or remove file types. Entries are added automatically when you download files and select actions for them.

However, in your case you can try modifying you ~/.mozilla/firefox/\*\*\*\*.default/mimeTypes.rdf. Here is a link to mine: http://pastebin.com/4HhX6xSE

edited Sep 03 '12 at 08:50

answered Sep 03 '12 at 08:34

green

14,306

see my question text: In Firefox-Preferences/Applications cannot see something resembling to apt to associate to a program. now i added images. also: Can I install Ubuntu Software Center?. i guess i can, and i'll try to – Sep 03 '12 at 08:38
up-vote for your responsiveness thnx, but you see i got the simplest way. the problem was simple: Lubuntu doesn't come with Ubuntu Software Center – Sep 03 '12 at 09:02

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered May 10 '14 at 18:07

1

I solved this issue in lubuntu 14.04 by opening the link using the path /usr/bin/apturl I changed it in my firefox preferences for future use.

answered May 10 '14 at 18:07

drpjkurian

11

How do I open "apt" links in Firefox (in Lubuntu)?

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