Chapter 8. Installing New Applications


Your Ubuntu Linux system arrived with a collection of great software, with packages to handle everything from word processing to email, surfing the Web, instant messaging, even games to help you unwind. As you take the time to experiment and learn about your system and everything it has to offer, eventually you'll want more than what you have. That's why I'm going to show you how to install that software, easily and without fuss. I will also tell you about updates and how to make sure that your system is patched and secure. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to search for the software you need and how fast you can have it up and running.

Before we get into finding and installing software, I'd like to address a little myth. You have no doubt heard that installing software on Linux is difficult and that it is inferior to what you are used to in the Windows world. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, software installation under Linux is actually superior to what you are leaving behind in your old OS.

Security Note

When you install software and software packages, you must often do so as an administrative user, also known as root. As root, you are all powerful. Linux tends to be more secure and much safer than your old OS, but that doesn't mean disasters can't strike. Know where your software comes from and take the time to understand what it does. That's why sticking with the Ubuntu repositories, which give you access to several thousand packages through Synaptic, is the best approach. Synaptic? Don't worry. I'll explain.





Moving to Ubuntu Linux
Moving to Ubuntu Linux
ISBN: 032142722X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 201

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