Translations by Anxious Nut

In this section you can learn how to use a package manager to add or remove software in Xubuntu with a few clicks. You can also learn about more advanced techniques of managing applications and discover some optional applications to add to Xubuntu.

A package manager is a program that helps the user to efficiently and safely install, update, or uninstall software on a computer. Package managers also keep track of all the components that software needs to work correctly.

There are three main package managers you can use in Xubuntu:

<link linkend="gnome-app-install"><application>Add/Remove Programs</application></link> - The easiest way to install and uninstall programs.

<link linkend="synaptic"><application>Synaptic</application></link> - Advanced control of software and other system components.

<link linkend="apt"><application>Apt</application></link> - If you prefer using the Terminal.

If you open more than one of these programs at once, they may not work. Close them all, and open just one.

A software repository is a place from which you can download and install software over the Internet.

There are thousands of programs available to install on Xubuntu. These programs are stored in software archives called (<emphasis>repositories</emphasis>) and are made freely available for installation over the Internet. This makes it very easy to install new programs on your system, and it is also very secure, because each program you install is built specially for Xubuntu and checked before it is installed.

Press <guibutton>Add Source</guibutton> and then click <guibutton>Close</guibutton> to save your changes.

Click <guibutton>Reload</guibutton> in the package manager to update the list of available packages.

Programs that are already installed begin with a check mark next to their name. Uncheck a program if you want to remove it from your computer.

Some software cannot be installed or removed using <application>Add/Remove Applications</application>. If you cannot find the package you are looking for, start the advanced package manager <application>Synaptic</application> (see <xref linkend="advanced"/>).

Advanced package management

To install a package, click the box next to it and choose <guimenuitem>Mark for installation</guimenuitem>. If you change your mind, choose <guimenuitem>Unmark</guimenuitem>.

To remove a package that is already installed, choose <guimenuitem>Mark for Removal</guimenuitem>.

When you've finished, click <guibutton>Apply</guibutton> and Ubuntu will make the changes you selected. If you don't want to make any changes, close the window instead.

To install all available updates for currently installed software: <screen>sudo apt-get upgrade</screen>

To search for a package: <screen>apt-cache search <emphasis>package</emphasis></screen>

To install a package: <screen>sudo apt-get install <emphasis>package</emphasis></screen>

To remove a package: <screen>sudo apt-get remove <emphasis>package</emphasis></screen>

Installing a single package file

It is important to ensure that any files you download come from a safe source before installing them.

This section deals with installing these single files.

Install/uninstall <emphasis>.deb</emphasis> files