Thursday, October 30, 2008

Using Add/Remove Applications for Software Management in Ubuntu

The Ubuntu graphical package-management tool identified in the Applications menu as Add/Remove is actually an application named gnome-app-install. Add/Remove Applications enables you to select packages arranged in categories and install or remove them. When you launch Add/Remove Applications, you are not prompted to enter your password; this is only required when making changes.

Along the left side of the screen, you will see the broad list of categories into which the applications have been divided. At the top, selected by default, is the All category, which lists every package that can be installed. The right side of the screen is split into two, with the upper portion providing the application list and the lower portion describing the currently selected application. Just above the application list are options for searching and filtering, with the default filter set to Supported Ubuntu Applications. You can change that if you want to.

Installing some new software is as simple as finding it in the package list and checking its box. After you have selected all the applications you want, click Apply. You will be prompted to enter your password so that Ubuntu can install the software. Currently installed applications are already checked, and you can remove them by unchecking them and clicking Apply.

To search for a specific application in the list, type something into the Search box at the top. Note that this searches within the current category; so if you are in the Games category and search for “office,” you will get no results. The best place to search is within the All category, to make sure you search all areas.

Source of Information : Sams Ubuntu Unleashed 2008 Edition

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