Adding Ubuntu Software and Other Linux Software to Ubuntu

After updating the pre-installed Ubuntu software, you will probably want to install more. To get more software, one uses Ubuntu repositories. An Ubuntu repository is a directory or set of directories which contain Ubuntu software or Linux software in general. As such, they contain open source, free software that you can use in Ubuntu.

As part of your installation, there is a list of Ubuntu repositories. There is also a program called Synaptic which reads these directories and offers you a list of available software downloads. To launch Synaptic, click on "System" in the top panel, choose "Administration", and select "Synaptic Package Manager" (about 2/3 of the way down the list of options). In doing this, you must be logged in as a user with administrator privileges. Ubuntu will ask for your password and then start Synaptic.

The first time Synaptic starts, a message will pop-up to say that Ubuntu software downloads are available in packages. This is why it is called a package manager. Click on "OK". You will then be presented with the list of free software.

Which Linux software you download is up to you. Ubuntu Linux will run fine without any further downloads. But, if there is a program that you would like to add or try, this is where you do that.

In the left window pane, you will see that "All" has been pre-selected. The corresponding list is therefore an alphabetical roster of all available software downloads. Those items with an Ubuntu symbol next to them are officially supported by Ubuntu. Others are available but are not official software packages of Ubuntu.

By selecting different categories, you can restrict which types of packages you see. At the bottom-left of the window, you will see four buttons to indicate by which aspect of the software you want to sort. "Sections" has been pre-selected. You can also view by status or customise sort criterion. Searching allows you to find Ubuntu software by various criteria. I recommend a bit of experimentation to best show you how to use the search feature.

If you right-click on any software package, you can access its properties and mark it either for installation or uninstallation. If it is already installed, you can find out which files have been installed and where.

You can also remove software superficially or remove it completely. To remove Ubuntu software superficially means that the application is removed but configuration files are left in tact. Complete removal means both the Linux software and its configuration files are removed.

If you select for installation Ubuntu software that needs other software to run, Synaptic will present you with a list of that software (called "dependencies") and ask if it is okay to install them. Most dependencies are on the small side, but it is possible to have a large download result from what appears to be a simple installation -- especially when the installation is new.

When you are done adding or removing programs, simply click "Apply". Synaptic will then visit each Ubuntu repository as needed, download the Linux software you want, install it, and configure it for you. Naturally, the software configuration will not always be as precise as you would like it to be, but the configuration will ensure that the package functions well and works together with the other Ubuntu software you have installed.