How to install MATE?

Question

I have seen several youtube videos that are showing MATE (The Gnome 2.x fork) installed in 11.10. How can I install it to test it out in 11.10 and above.

If it helps the only sources I know of are:

SourceForge - http://sourceforge.net/projects/matede/

GitHub - https://github.com/Perberos/Mate-Desktop-Environment

Matsusoft - http://matsusoft.com.ar/

NOTE - I already know that MATE is an evil spawn of Gnome 2.x which is non-intuitive, unattractive and ugly for end users. It could scare your kids for life and kill the cat. But apart from this (and the viruses, troyans, worms, spywares, security holes, mermaids, seamonkeys, narnian characters, lords of the ring dragons and whatnot as mentioned in the Matsusoft site) I still want to try it in a safe nuclear protected environment.

Answer 1

If you want MATE without the minty-freshness (sic) you could use the debian repo specifically for Ubuntu.

This repository contains 300Mb of pure Mate-desktop packages - that is, the Gnome-2 packages after the fork together with fixes released since.

Examining the package list, there doesn't appear to be much/if any updates to the base Ubuntu package lists.

What this means is that - unlike the Linux Mint derivative - the Mate-Desktop in this repo will sit much more comfortably along side any other desktops installed on Ubuntu - for example, Gnome-Shell, Unity, LXDE etc..

The Linux Mint Mate repo contains Mint specific changes but more importantly, later versions of the Gnome-3 packages that will upgrade Unity & Gnome-Shell packages - it is a more one way install.

to install the repository

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu [code-name] main"

where [distro-name] is the code-name of the Ubuntu version - oneiric, precise, quantal etc.

for example:

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu precise main"

install MATE desktop

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring
sudo apt-get update
# this installs base packages
sudo apt-get install mate-core
# this installs more packages
sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment

Answer 2

CAUTION - Mixing the ubuntu and mint repos can cause serious problems. My advice would be to wait for a ppa. If you use the mint repos, disable them after installing MATE or use Pinning

You can install it from the mint repos

deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ lisa main upstream import

Add that line to /etc/apt/sources.list

# command line
sudo -e /etc/apt/sources.list

# graphical
gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Then update and install. You will get a complaint about a missing (gpg) key, which we will fix.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linuxmint-keyring # Fixes gpg error
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y mint-meta-mate

Log out and choose MATE from your login menu

I would be surprised if a ppa does not pop up =)

I would consider disabling the mint repo after installing MATE, and would install as few packages as possible from mint (to avoid any conflicts).

Note: Do this at your own risk, it is possible the mint repo will cause problems, and I would not do something silly like sudo apt-get dist-upgrade with the mint repo activated.

You might want to make or wait for a ppa.

Answer 3

yes, it is. check the link provided by Martin.

Open the terminal iin Ubuntu either by opening the dash and searching for the word "Terminal" or by using the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T

For Ubuntu Precise Pangolin (12.04)

type these 2 commands in the terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository -y "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu precise main"

sudo add-apt-repository -y "deb http://repo.mate-desktop.org/ubuntu precise main"

---

For Ubuntu Quantal Quetzal (12.10) repository

sudo add-apt-repository -y "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu quantal main"

sudo add-apt-repository -y "deb http://repo.mate-desktop.org/ubuntu quantal main"

---

Then run these commands one by one : the "#" is a comment to explain. don't type it

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring
sudo apt-get update
# this will install base packages
sudo apt-get install mate-core
# this will install more packages
sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment

---

As for your 2nd question:

Is this gonna install the exact same DE that LinuxMint uses? Or slightly different...more Ubuntu style-like Mate? ?

Answer: Am not sure. Probably someone with more knowledge can help you. But basically installing Mate in Ubuntu is the same as installing it in linux Mint. in other words, Mate will install the same apps and packages in both Distros. But the differences in Ubuntu and Mint are there even if you don't install mate. For example: shortcuts and packages in Ubuntu are different from linuxMint as you said:It is more Ubuntu style-like Mate difference. as for the glitches LinuxMint is based on Ubuntu so it works fine on both

Answer 4

It's not bundled with the distro as of 12.04, but you can dowload and install it.

Instructions and download

Answer 5

Please note that these instructions were derived from this website: http://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/install-linux-mint-mate-desktop-in-ubuntu-11-10/

First of all, install MGSE (Mint Gnome Shell Extension) in Ubuntu 11.10 by entering this command in Terminal.

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

This will pop-up a gedit window, where you will require adding the following line at the end (as exactly shown).

deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ lisa main upstream import

Once done, enter these commands in Terminal.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linuxmint-keyring
sudo apt-get update

After following the procedure described above, MGSE and MATE will become available in Ubuntu Software Center. Now, search and install Mint Gnome Shell Extension, followed by Mint Meta Mate from the Ubuntu Software Center.

Answer 6

See this:

http://mate-desktop.org/install/#ubuntu