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I know it is possible to install an app from the Software Center via clicking an apt link in a web page. But is it possible to install a repository by clicking also?

For example when a user clicks on a link it does this:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ubuntu-wine/ppa but by clicking on a link

Alvar
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Luis Alvarado
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1 Answers1

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apturl (the magic program that handles apt:// URLs) does have code to handle apt+http:// URLs like this:

apt+http://launchpad.net/~oli/ppa?package=olis-package

Which would theoretically add that PPA, install that package and then (if the user wanted it), leave that PPA installed.

But apturl's manpage currently says this is disabled:

Warning: This is currently disabled because of security concerns.

I've just tested it and it does appear to be disabled. I can understand the security issue. Having people install software from PPAs is enough of a security issue let along making it a 1-click operation.

The alternative for people who want to release a PPA for their own software is to write a dummy-package that adds the PPA and installs the other packages. You either make that .deb available on your website or you could ask for it to be added to the universe. Then it really would be a 1-click thing.

Community
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Oli
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  • I thought it was more complicated than a simple apt+ lol. Thanks. – Luis Alvarado Jun 09 '11 at 15:16
  • It is more complicated than this apt+http links because (per the huge bold text in the middle of my post) it has been disabled. If you try a link like that, apturl just ignores the repository... But my alternative should make it as simple as it gets (without getting people to copy and paste things around) – Oli Jun 09 '11 at 15:50