Managing and Installing Applications

From Knowledge76

The ease of installing applications and staying up to date is a key feature of Ubuntu. Unlinke Windows, Ubuntu keeps track of every application installed on your computer and keeps all of them up to date.

1 About Ubuntu Applications
2 Installing & Removing Applications
3 Staying Up to Date
- 3.1 Setting Update Preferences

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About Ubuntu Applications

If you are familiar with Windows then you know all about .exe files. When you want to install an application you double click the .exe and it's installed for you. Ubuntu uses a superior application package called APT. The name of an Ubuntu application ends in .deb like skype_1.2.0.18-2_i386.deb. To install a Debian you simply double click on it or use the methods described below.

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Installing & Removing Applications

There are thousands of software packages available to you for just about anything you can imagine. Everything from professional desktop publishing to space simulation. See Other Cool Applications for suggestions and ideas on the Linux alternatives to Windows applications.
Installing and using the software is easy too...

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Using Add/Remove...

Go to Applications > Add/Remove...
Tick the checkbox next to the application you want to install
Click OK
The application will be downloaded and installed. Go to the Applications menu to find your newly installed software.

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Using Synaptic Package Manager

Synaptic is a more robust package management application. Some people may prefer it to Add/Remove...

Go to System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manger

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Using Gdebi

Gdebi is a simple tool for installing Debian software packages that you have downloaded from the internet. Simply double click on the Debian package to install it. Many Debian packages are availble on the Internet. For example Skype VOIP.