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I keep trying to install programs, by simply downloading the program, and clicking on it, but I see things are not that simple. Has anyone come up with a simple way to install different programs, without having to rely on Synaptic or Aptitude?

Example: I tried to install a .deb package. Went to the site, downloaded the package, opened up the command line (after making the file executable), the errors began. First there was a dependency file that was required, then there was a public key that was needed, man can someone make this a little bit simpler for a newbie. I think a newbie spends half of his time searching google to figure out how to make things work on Linux. Someone please help make this more simple? Tanks

Aaron
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showmemn
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2 Answers2

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To install a .deb package, just press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open Terminal. When it opens, run the command(s) below:

sudo dpkg -i <package_name>.deb

If you get a dependency error, you can run sudo apt-get install -f to download and install dependencies, otherwise; you'll have to install dependencies on your own.

For a new user, its easier to use synaptic , Ubuntu software Center, or apt to install packages. Take a look at How do I install applications in Ubuntu?

For more info on dpkg, see dpkg Command Cheat Sheet

Community
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Mitch
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  • What about installing other programs like .exe, is that also possible with gdebi? I know the program is for Windows, but is there a way to recompile this? – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:38
  • Also, what about installing from a URL? – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:39
  • .exe files are windows based, and can't be installed natively in Ubuntu. The way to use .exe files in Ubuntu is by using Wine. what do you mean installing from a UR? – Mitch Feb 11 '14 at 17:43
  • I remember seeing something about useing apt-get from the browser windows – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:45
  • do you mean "apt-links" the "Ubuntu apps directory" gives you an apt link that will open in the software center for example https://apps.ubuntu.com/cat/applications/precise/gdebi/ (these usually are only found there because it often confuses users, and makes it hard to download files in other browsers/systems) – Mateo Feb 11 '14 at 17:47
  • Perfect. Thanks for all the super fast responses. Couldn't take reading more dead end google tutorials. – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:49
  • To install fro a URL you can use bower. – Mitch Feb 11 '14 at 17:50
  • ps. Went to https://apps.ubuntu.com/cat/applications/precise/gdebi/ and without fail, I have to make a choice of which app to use to open the program. Of course I have no idea which one to use. – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:51
  • You need to open it with the Ubuntu Software Center, or just open software center, and install it directly from there, or use Avinash Raj's answer below to install it. – Mitch Feb 11 '14 at 17:54
  • tried to install ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -f mp3 -ab 192000 -vn music.mp3 – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:57
  • What command did you use to install? – Mitch Feb 11 '14 at 17:57
  • sudo dpkg -i libavcodec-unstripped-52_0.5.9-0ubuntu0.10.04.3_i386.deb – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 18:10
  • any suggestions? – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 18:15
  • just notice that this is labled "ubuntu0.10.04" maybe that is the problem. I'm running 12.10 – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 18:19
  • What are you trying to install? – Mitch Feb 11 '14 at 18:21
  • video conversion program flv to mp3 sudo dpkg -i libavcodec-unstripped-52_0.5.9-0ubuntu0.10.04.3_i386.deb – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 18:29
  • Take a look at http://askubuntu.com/questions/27864/best-video-converter, and https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FFmpeg – Mitch Feb 11 '14 at 18:31
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Try to install .deb packages through gdebi,

 sudo gdebi filename.deb

Run the below command to install gdebi,

 sudo apt-get install gdebi

Installing the .deb file through gdebi will remove the dependency errors.

Avinash Raj
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  • sudo apt-get install gdebi sudo: unable to resolve host srv1 Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree
    Reading state information... Done You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these: Returned the following error:The following packages have unmet dependencies: gdebi : Depends: gdebi-core (= 0.8.5ubuntu1.1) but it is not going to be installed     – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:42
  • sounds like you broke your system trying to install something else @showmemn – Mateo Feb 11 '14 at 17:43
  • worked, had to run sudo apt-get install -f – showmemn Feb 11 '14 at 17:44