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I am new to ubuntu and I am using 12.10 distro.

Why are different commands required to install a sofware, what do these commands do ?

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    what "commands" are you referring to? please give examples
    – fossfreedom ♦
    Jan 6, 2015 at 13:36
  • 2
    Not only is your question incomprehensible, but 12.10 reached end of life years ago and is no longer supported.
    – psusi
    Jan 6, 2015 at 13:44
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    If you stick to Ubuntu software center you do not even have to leave your home (leave it virtually that is ;) ) since it will download what your ask.
    – Rinzwind
    Jan 6, 2015 at 13:58
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    I am using 12.10 distro which has reached its end of life. I was a windows user and all the aspects related to Ubuntu are new to me, like EOL. I will switch to latest distro once I get a webpage suggesting the ways to use my USB modem on 14.10 distro, which I am not able to find it now. There are several webpages suggesting the ways to use my USB modem Micromaxx 352g, for 12.10 distro. I am sure that with the passing time I shall see some guidance to use the modem on some latest distro. Thanks and regards to all.
    – abhishek
    Jan 8, 2015 at 14:14
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    I have updated the 14.04(the updates were of about 500 MB) and all the softwares are working fast. The first tip to be given to any new Ubuntu user is to install the latest distro available, otherwise one would have to come to askubuntu again and again. Thanks and Regards to all.
    – abhishek
    Jan 13, 2015 at 7:46

3 Answers 3

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Installing most softwares on Ubuntu are actually easier than on Windows once you get the hang of it.

Installation of packages can be done via the Ubuntu Software Center, a Graphical User Interface based application where installing an application only involves the clicking of the Install button.

Alternatively, the Terminal can also be used to install packages using apt-get. All you have to do is to open the Terminal and enter the command -

sudo apt-get install <packagename>

For example, if you want to install VLC Media Player -

sudo apt-get install vlc

As you may notice, both the above methods are quite straightforward and do not require the user to navigate through web pages searching for .exe or .msi files to download and then install by clicking on the Next option numerous times, as is the case in Windows.

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  • I am using ubuntu 12.10 I am getting the following error and vlc is not getting installed. abhi@abhi-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get install vlc [sudo] password for abhi: Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done E: Unable to locate package vlc abhi@abhi-desktop:~$
    – abhishek
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:03
  • That is because Ubuntu 12.10 has reached its end of life (EOL) and is no longer supported. Install a newer and supported version like 14.04 or 14.10 instead.
    – Rohith Madhavan
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:07
  • Oh.. Like Microsoft Windows XP has reached EOL ? EOL is a new term for me. Thanks.
    – abhishek
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:09
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Linux and Windows are two different things - and are completely different organized. Linux, Ubuntu in this case is organized in packages. A package is a part of the whole system that has a specific exercise. And also applications are divided in at least one package that can be installed through a so called package manager. In Ubuntu and other derivatives this is apt-get, or you can use a gui called synaptic.

Every packet has a name to identify, and can be installed with the following command:

sudo apt-get install your_package_name

For example, to install Skype type:

sudo apt-get install skype

And to remove a packet, type remove instead of install.

To see all commands/operants open the terminal and type

apt-get --help
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  • What do you call that 'dash sign', between apt and get? Is it called 'minus' or simply 'dash'? I am new to ubuntu. Regards.
    – abhishek
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:08
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    Is there a difference? I don't know, but that is a simple minus sign that you can also type in your numpad.
    – Ercksen
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:28
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It not obligatory to use commands. You can do most things with User Interface.But commands are easier, faster ways of installing software and managing your computer in general.

If you want to install software in Ubuntu the easiest way is through Ubuntu Software Centre. Go into the Software centre, choose an app you want and click Install button.

Second way to install an app is Synaptic Manager.Again choose an app, tick the check button, mark for install and Apply.

If you want to install a software outside Ubuntu repositories, for example Google chrome, you should download .deb format file for it. After you can install it them through software centre or install it using Gdebi .

You can get both Synaptic and Gdebi through software centre.

First of all I strongly recommend to upgrade your Ubuntu to a supported release.

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6
  • If I upgrade to Ubuntu 14.04 , do I need to install synaptic package manager, or would it be installed in the distro, by default ?
    – abhishek
    Jan 6, 2015 at 13:58
  • By default only Ubuntu Software centre is installed. You will have to install Synaptic or Gdebi by yourself.
    – Muzaffar
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:00
  • What is the significance of package managers ? What do they do ? (I have searched this question and it is explained in complex terminology)
    – abhishek
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:01
  • They make installing, removing, updating and reinstalling apps easier. Package is an app (If we say it very simple). You can control your packages, that is to say apps with them.
    – Muzaffar
    Jan 6, 2015 at 14:05
  • You can not do everything in a GUI. One of the big reasons the command line will never go away is that there are an infinite number of permutations of commands you can type to do whatever you need done, but there are only so many buttons and menus you can click on.
    – psusi
    Jan 6, 2015 at 20:35

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