a Quick question about installing software

[Damien]

hi guys,
i have a question regarding installing software in Kubuntu.

for a long time i have been trying to install programs using tar and the ./configure option, With absolubtley no success...there is always something missing!
looking though the forums and kubuntu, it looks like Adept is the way to go.

so here is the question.
1)adept uses .dep file extensions?
2)where do i copy the files to, in order to get them to appear in Adept, and allow me to use them?

Thanks in advance........
Damien

[aysiu]

If you have an internet connection, you don't copy files anywhere. Once you've asked Adept to install something, it'll download all the necessary packages and install them for you.

If you don't have an internet connection... well, then it gets tricky.

[Damien]

hi,
you've guessed it, I don't have an internet connection (just yet - waiting for the broadband guys to call)

but id still like to be able to install some Linux programs that come with magazine cover disks that i have. a lot of them are in the .deb format.

if I cannot do this through adept, could you suggest the best programs / packages that I should have on my machine in order to allow me to successfully use tar, ./config .......

Thanks again

just so i have this clear in my head, adept only allows you to install programs that are already listed in it, only if you have an internet connection, and any other program thats not on the list has to be installed manually?

[Patrick]

To install a deb right click it and there should be a Kubuntu Package Menu in the menu - choose install package.

[kubicle]

And if you wish to manage a large number of packages with adept or synaptic (especially useful on a machine that does not have an internet connection) you can:

1. Create a directory for your packages (for example /home/YOUR_USER_NAME/repository/binaries)

2. Copy all deb packages you wish to use in that directory

3. Run

dpkg-scanpackages* /home/YOUR_USER_NAME/repository/binaries /dev/null | gzip >* /home/YOUR_USER_NAME/repository/binaries/Packages.gz
(If you add or remove packages to this local directory you have to do this again to update the package list)

4. Add the following line to your /etc/apt/sources.list:

deb file:/home/YOUR_USER_NAME/repository/ binaries/

5. Reload packagelists (in Adept or Synaptic) and your new local packages are available.

edited: corrected the typo on step 4 in case someone reads just these instructions and not the whole thread :P

[Damien]

Cheers Guys,
Thats Giving me something to work with tonight... :D

ill let ye know how i get on...

Thanks Again

Damien.

[Nirvana]

another way to get more avalible packages for you is to adjust your sources list to do this you must run as root type sudo konqueror in terminal go to /etc/apt and uncomment 'universe' repositories & 'backports' repositories and save then reload packages
thought this might help you

oh and to ./configure and install properly you would need to have KDE header files and make installed


he doesn't have an internet connection

[Damien]

Hi guys,
i tried both ways, patricks advice work(re To install a deb right click it and there should be a Kubuntu Package Menu in the menu - choose install package) so i think ill stick with that for the moment. the suggestion by kubicle worked up until i tried to run adept after running carrying out the steps listed, adept didnt like it and wont open.... :(

seeing as i still dont have an internet connect at home, can any one suggest some essential librarys that i will need for installing programs in kubuntu?

thanks Guys for all your help........

Damien

[kubicle]

Sorry, there's a typo on my instructions (I really need a proof reader ;) )

The line to put in sources.list is:


deb file:/home/YOUR_USER_NAME/repository/ binaries/

(notice the space between 'repository/' and 'binaries/'

Now it should work alright.

[Nirvana]

Hi guys,
i tried both ways, patricks advice work(re To install a deb right click it and there should be a Kubuntu Package Menu in the menu - choose install package) so i think ill stick with that for the moment. the suggestion by kubicle worked up until i tried to run adept after running carrying out the steps listed, adept didnt like it and wont open.... :(

seeing as i still dont have an internet connect at home, can any one suggest some essential librarys that i will need for installing programs in kubuntu?

thanks Guys for all your help........

Damien

if by essential library's for installing programs, you mean installing from souce. You will need make, build-essential, and a compiler based on the code of which the program is written in.