Installing programs and packages in ubuntu... (A newbie question.)

Hello.... Firstly thanks for speaking out.... Sadly enough, thats true.. Every developer thinks the same way.... This is a technical support system run by voluenteers and answering questions quickly might take time.......

Bhavani Shankar suggests this article as an answer to your question:
http://ubuntuguide.org/
FAQ #16: “Installing programs and packages in ubuntu... (A newbie question.)”.

Hi Thanks for the reply.
I have had a quick look but cannot see what i am looking for.
Sadly, I have decided to leave this computer with UBUNTU for a few hours, as I am at the point of FORMATTING THE WHOLE LOT & returning it to "WINDOWS XP"
Sorry, but I have found UBUNTU very hard going, I was known as "The Wizkid with WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS, but with "UBUNTU" i think i will be known as "The Helpme Kid"

Hi,

for those who are interested there is an official Ubuntu documentation page at https://help.ubuntu.com/ Now, regarding some specific questions/issues:
1. Have a look at https://help.ubuntu.com/7.04/add-applications/C/index.html
2. Under normal usage the menu does not disappears on it's own. It is possible that you removed it by mistake. I don't have an Ubuntu bx in front of me right now, so I'll leave this unanswered.
3. Support is often done by volunteers, if that's not acceptable for you there is professional support services from Canonical Ltd, see http://www.ubuntu.com/support/paid, as well as official Ubuntu training courses, see http://www.ubuntu.com/support/training. The command line usage is described in the official documentation as well https://help.ubuntu.com/7.04/basic-commands/C/.

Best regards,
Flavius

Number one thing to do : Relax and don't think like a windows user !

1. Applications -> Add/Remove... In the search field write a description of the program you need.
    Example 1 : download manager
    You ll get some programs to install. Just tick the program you need in the little box and apply changes.
    In the field "Show" you can choose "all available applications" so you can download for example codecs or java and rar.
    If you want to be sure of the application is working properly prefer the ubuntu supported applications. (all the other
    applications are community maintained.

2. If you have a least one panel working, right click it and choose "+Add to panel". In the "Add to panel" window scroll down
    in the "Utilities" field. Double click "Menu bar" and you ll have your Main menu. If this isn't helping is better to reinstall your
    ubuntu.

3. You are right. Most people answers with code commands. I hope in the near future to answer better.
    I understand your problems because i am a computer teacher.
    The program that runs commands is Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal

see... Basically the power of linux is command line.. You have full control over your system.. and you have chosen the best linux distro.... a simple apt-get install command installs you the software you want including software dependencies... Even in debian also...(But debian doesnt have a repository.. We have to search for software from a set of 25 Cdš and install it...) Even more worse is red hat and mandriva where you will have to search for the dependencies also and intsall that particular software.. So... start learning.... and you will find my words true...........
br,
Bhavani Shankar

On Thu, 2007-08-30 at 07:23 +0000, Bhavani Shankar wrote:

> Your question #12342 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/12342
>
> Bhavani Shankar proposed the following answer:
> see... Basically the power of linux is command line.. You have full control over your system.. and you have chosen the best linux distro.... a simple apt-get install command installs you the software you want including software dependencies... Even in debian also...(But debian doesnt have a repository.. We have to search for software from a set of 25 Cdš and install it...) Even more worse is red hat and mandriva where you will have to search for the dependencies also and intsall that particular software.. So... start learning.... and you will find my words true...........
> br,
> Bhavani Shankar
>

HI
Thanks for your help.
 I am afraid the LINUX TRIAL has been a BIG MASSIVE disaster.
UBUNTU is being kicked out from both computers.
We are returning to WINDOWS XP although I hate the greedy MICROSOFT
giants,
we have no other real alternative now that LINUX has been such a
disaster.
Our conclusion is LINUX belongs back in The Dark Ages.
We could NOT get drivers to run our PRINTER, SCANNER & WIRELESS NETWORK.
Both computer had to be returned to an old cable router in order to
obtain Internet Access.
Also there was massive problems trying to install other software.
We required AUTO START (MINIMISED) for some programs, that also appears
to be impossible.
Well I am off to FORMAT LINUX from both computers right now.

ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
Best regards
Neale

Neale,

I hope you are still here. I'm a newbie too, and no fan of (as one user here put it - Question #5043, asked on 2007-04-15 by peggy daly) "microsloth" either.
But unlike you I am finding the transition interesting and educating. The help has been wonderful, but as you said a lot of times above the head of the "newbie" and frustrating.
The example of the enter the command "-----" (something cryptic to a newbie) My first thought was "DUH! Like where do I enter this code.
Then I saw an answer to a question that had a line like this:

Applications > Accessories > Terminal
and copy and paste the command: "blah blah"
enter password when asked

WoW! That's easy ... (from other readings I saw) Right click on the menu bar and click on Add to Panel ... found Treminal under accessories and it's always available.

Don't give up on Linux ... It's GREAT! (yes, I'm a newbie of 3 weeks now)
I originally downloaded 6.06 and installed that. Three days ago my computer spent 14hous at night getting the update to 6.10, and last night another 14 hours to get 7.04. No sooner did that happen and I received my "new-free" Ubuntu 7.04 Live CD that I had asked for three weeks ago by mail.

One I get my Palm and my wife's hotsyncing in Ubuntu "Window$ micro$loth cra$h dummy" will be GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was a DOS batch file "wizkid" as you put it and held out as long as I could before I was forced into Window$ micro$loth cra$h dummy due to lack of DOS support. My favorite line then was (and will be soon enough again):

Windows in my house is something to open in the summer and close in the winter.

Bruce Milmine

Neale,

If you feel windows is best for you then enjoy. If you are motived to move on then you are going to have spend some time learning a new way of doing things. Linux is not windows. There are really not very many similarities. If you try to do things the windows way you will fail. You have to give up what you know about windows and start from the beginning. It will take time to learn. I've been at this for 2 years now and I'm still learning. However, it only took a month or so to start feeling competent. With an open mind and month you will probably start to have success too.

One of the biggest hurdles is the install. Most people don't do this. They buy a computer with the OS already installed and configured. That computer probably also has a sticker saying designed for windows or something and not designed for Linux. You are basically relying on the collective intelligence of the Linux developers to reverse engineer A LOT of hardware to try and make Linux install on just about anything. And they do a pretty good job of it too. When something doesn't work, however, you now have to pick up where they left. That usually involves a lot of digging, asking and experimenting. If you are not up to that, you can always buy a computer pre-loaded with Linux that was "designed for Linux".

As for using commands in a terminal, that is simply to make it easier to give support. Many things can be done with a gui front end but it's too hard to describe how to do that in a support forum. It's much easier to give a command or two. Also, there are some things that are still command line driven - even in windows. Most users never see that though because most user don't install and configure an OS.

Good Luck.

Bruce M. wrote:
> Your question #12342 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/12342
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Bruce M. proposed the following answer:
> Neale,
>
> I hope you are still here. I'm a newbie too, and no fan of (as one user here put it - Question #5043, asked on 2007-04-15 by peggy daly) "microsloth" either.
> But unlike you I am finding the transition interesting and educating. The help has been wonderful, but as you said a lot of times above the head of the "newbie" and frustrating.
> The example of the enter the command "-----" (something cryptic to a newbie) My first thought was "DUH! Like where do I enter this code.
> Then I saw an answer to a question that had a line like this:
>
> Applications > Accessories > Terminal
> and copy and paste the command: "blah blah"
> enter password when asked
>
> WoW! That's easy ... (from other readings I saw) Right click on the
> menu bar and click on Add to Panel ... found Treminal under accessories
> and it's always available.
>
> Don't give up on Linux ... It's GREAT! (yes, I'm a newbie of 3 weeks now)
> I originally downloaded 6.06 and installed that. Three days ago my computer spent 14hous at night getting the update to 6.10, and last night another 14 hours to get 7.04. No sooner did that happen and I received my "new-free" Ubuntu 7.04 Live CD that I had asked for three weeks ago by mail.
>
> One I get my Palm and my wife's hotsyncing in Ubuntu "Window$ micro$loth
> cra$h dummy" will be GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> I was a DOS batch file "wizkid" as you put it and held out as long as I
> could before I was forced into Window$ micro$loth cra$h dummy due to
> lack of DOS support. My favorite line then was (and will be soon enough
> again):
>
> Windows in my house is something to open in the summer and close in the
> winter.
>
> Bruce Milmine
>
>
Hi
I am afraid UBUNTU has been thrown off both computers which had it
installed.
UBUNTU was not up to the job required. We could NOT obtain drivers for
our WIRELESS NETWORK or our PRINTER among some other things. I
certainly was NOT going to pay TRUEPRINT ? (not sure if this is quite
the correct name) for the drivers. Also everyone found it far to
difficult to install certain required programs, & very difficult to use.
Our final collective conclusion was that UBUNTU (Linux) belongs way back
in the dark ages.
I am afraid we have been forced to return to the VERY GREEDY ARMS of
"MICROSOFT" with their WINDOWS XP.
We refuse to use the terrible intrusive WINDOWS VISTA.
In my opinion MICROSOFT deserve everything that the so called "PIRATES"
can throw at them, greedy "BAST***S!"

Thanks for contacting me,

Best regards
Neale

Jim Hutchinson wrote:
> Your question #12342 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/12342
>
> Jim Hutchinson proposed the following answer:
> Neale,
>
> If you feel windows is best for you then enjoy. If you are motived to
> move on then you are going to have spend some time learning a new way of
> doing things. Linux is not windows. There are really not very many
> similarities. If you try to do things the windows way you will fail. You
> have to give up what you know about windows and start from the
> beginning. It will take time to learn. I've been at this for 2 years now
> and I'm still learning. However, it only took a month or so to start
> feeling competent. With an open mind and month you will probably start
> to have success too.
>
> One of the biggest hurdles is the install. Most people don't do this.
> They buy a computer with the OS already installed and configured. That
> computer probably also has a sticker saying designed for windows or
> something and not designed for Linux. You are basically relying on the
> collective intelligence of the Linux developers to reverse engineer A
> LOT of hardware to try and make Linux install on just about anything.
> And they do a pretty good job of it too. When something doesn't work,
> however, you now have to pick up where they left. That usually involves
> a lot of digging, asking and experimenting. If you are not up to that,
> you can always buy a computer pre-loaded with Linux that was "designed
> for Linux".
>
> As for using commands in a terminal, that is simply to make it easier to
> give support. Many things can be done with a gui front end but it's too
> hard to describe how to do that in a support forum. It's much easier to
> give a command or two. Also, there are some things that are still
> command line driven - even in windows. Most users never see that though
> because most user don't install and configure an OS.
>
> Good Luck.
>
>
Hi
I am afraid UBUNTU was just not up to the job for us. We found it
impossible to obtain all the drivers we required for our hardware. Time
was not on our side, we needed An OS that we could use to get on with
the job simply & easily.

Best regards
Neale

If your printer or WiFi card does not work out of the box in Ubuntu, this means that the company that makes it did not make an effort to supply open-source drivers.
Things change, such as the recent announcement by AMD/ATI that specs for ATI graphics cards are now available (since a few days ago) to help make full open-source drivers.

When you install Ubuntu you have the additional task to see if some of your hardware is not well supported.
If you are in this case, you have to search to see what options you have. For example, for printers, you visit
http://openprinting.org/printer_list.cgi
and you see if your model is supported.

If you want to easily contribute to open-source, you can e-mail/mail the manufacturer with a nice (polite!) e-mail saying that you are trying Ubuntu, it did not work, and you are disatisfied with the product. This is important to voice your feelings to the proper destination. Many people do not consider, but this is really important to change attitudes. Think about AMD/ATI.

Linux is about collaboration and online community. It's quite social.
I hope this helps.

Sorry things didn't work for you. Maybe someday. For the record, however, you don't "find" drivers for your hardware in Linux. Unlike windows, Linux includes drivers for a great deal of hardware and often things "just work". Unfortunately, there is no way to include EVERYTHING and some HW makers make it even more difficult by not releasing specs. As a result, Linux users know what HW to use and what to stay away from. If your HW maker is one of these "nasty" companies you are out of luck unless you know quite a bit about computers and are willing to invest the time to research solutions. You may be stuck with windows for now (although with time almost any computer can be made to work with Linux) but next time you buy new hardware make sure to do a little research first and check its Linux compatibility. Fwiw, Intel, nvidia, ATI as of recently, and HP tend to be quite Linux friendly. That's a very short list and not at all comprehensive but that's all I need to know to be happy.

Cheers.

please this my first time using ubuntu so i will like you help me how to install other programs and modem