Installing / Removing Packages

Installing Packages
Installing software packages using Synaptic is a breeze. Just follow these steps to install a new package:
1. Open Synaptic by selecting System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager from the Panel menu.

2. Enter your password in the Password dialog box prompt. The Synaptic Package Manager requires administrative permissions to install and remove software packages. If your user account doesn’t have administrative permissions, you won’t be able to use the program.

3. Enter the package name in the Quick Search box. The Search tool searches all of the configured repositories, looking for packages that contain the search word in the name and description, then displays packages that match in the package list, displays the results of a search for the SuperTux game. If you require a more detailed search, use the Search button on the toolbar and select different search criteria.

4. Click the SuperTux package and select the Mark for Installation option from the menu. Synaptic automatically locates any dependent packages required by the selected packages and asks whether you want to mark those for installation as well. Packages marked for installation appear with an error in the status box and are highlighted in green if all of the dependency packages are available.

5. Click the Apply button in the toolbar. The Synaptic installation process begins, downloading and installing the selected packages.

6. Synaptic asks whether you want to install more packages. If you’re done, select No.


Once the packages are installed you may or may not see them in the Ubuntu menu system, depending on what type of packages they are. Some packages require opening a Terminal session and starting them from the command line. You can manually create a menu entry for these packages.


Removing Packages
When you view the package list in Synaptic, installed packages have a green status box, indicating that all of the components for that package are installed. Right-clicking on the package produces a menu that gives you three options for managing the installed package:
• Mark for Reinstallation: Reinstall the package from the current version in the repository.
• Mark for Removal: Remove only the files installed by the package.
• Mark for Complete Removal: Remove the package files plus any additional configuration or data files associated with the application.

If you want to reinstall the package but have customized configuration files you’d like to use with the reinstallation, select Mark for Removal rather than Mark for Complete Removal. A complete removal will delete any custom configuration you’ve done to the package.


Once the packages are installed you may or may not see them in the Ubuntu menu system, depending on what type of packages they are. Some packages require opening a Terminal session and starting them from the command line. You can manually create a menu entry for these packages.

Source of Information : Wiley Ubuntu Linux Secrets