Personal Package Archives (PPA) allow developer/users to upload Ubuntu source packages to be built and published as an apt repository by Launchpad. Well, for an Ubuntu user, installing packages from PPA is a regular thing. Its one the most elegant ways to get our software in Ubuntu, besides the Software Center ofcourse. So today we are going to talk about the simple way to install a software from its PPA given to us.
‘apt‘ or the Advanced Packaging Tool is one of the most powerful system tool available in Ubuntu. If you are a GUI lover or a classic terminal junkie, you have to deal with it no matter what. Almost all Ubuntu users have used it knowingly or unknowingly. So, now lets take a walk down the basics of this tool, how it works and how to master it.
For Software Developers/Providers
Personal Package Archive (PPA) service is provided for Ubuntu by Launchpad via which you can distribute software and updates directly to Ubuntu users. Create your source package, upload it and Launchpad will build binaries and then host them in your own apt repository.
Refer this link for more on how to create your own PPA to distribute software.
For Users (Like Us)
PPA (https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+ppas) can be easily used to add new sources for software not available in Software Centre.PPAs work like normal Ubuntu archives. You can install software in the usual way — for example, through apt-get or synaptic — and whenever there’s an update Ubuntu will prompt you to install it. Both the x86 & x64 architectures are supported by PPA.
Here is an example, to add the repository:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa: user/ppa-name
So pop up your Terminal and try adding few of them from below
Open Office : sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openoffice-pkgs/ppa
Google Chrome Browser Beta : sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chromium-daily/beta
ClamAv Antivirus : sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-clamav/ppa
Remember to run sudo apt-get update after you are done with above
Here is a look at a successfull addition via PPA
If you still feel you are bit of a Linoob just try using Ubuntu Tweak
“The Ubuntu Software Store aka USS is a graphical utility for package management in Ubuntu.” is what probably Canonical describes it as but it seems to me a bit more than that and as they’ve promised it will be a Unified Package Handler replacing Synaptic,GDebi,Add & Remove & Other Application management Programs.Though 0.3.10 was the version that was reviewed but I promise you its worth to look after.
So exactly same as their diagrams described ,USS was just the same & easy to use.You still can’t expect a lot of features but even in an alpha release it was working fine.Divided into 11 categories termed as “Departments” it was indeed very we’ll put up though I felt it same as the old “Add & Remove” but without ratings.The installation was on breeze but i wasn’t able to do multiple installation at once.Since its too early to discuss cons,here are few pros of it :
The sleekness in placing things really demonstrated that what developers are looking forward to .It will be really a marvelous piece of software in future. Got some innovative idea then do comment here…!!!
Still a way to go as the roadmap suggests.Linoob team wishes best of luck to devs 