Ubuntu

Why aren't some programs on add/remove ?

Asked by Wladston Viana

When I went to isntall some programs, like checkgmail (not kcheckgmail), esvn (not kdesnv) .... and I have noticed they are not on the "Add/Remove" application.

What's wrong ? Is this a bug ?

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Wladston Viana
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Steve Garton (sheepeatingtaz) said : 		#1

There are a couple of reasons they aren't showing up in Add/Remove programs.

A quick search on packages.ubuntu.com shows that checkgmail and esvn are in universe. Have you enabled this repository? If not, this I think is the first thing to do.

You can see how to do this here: http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Edgy#How_to_add_extra_repositories

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Alan Pope 🍺🐧🐱 🦄 (popey) said : 		#2

The Add/Remove application only shows a limited set of what's actually available. As well as enabling additional repositories you will also find the full list of installable applications in System --> Administration --> Synaptic Package Manager.

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Wladston Viana (wladston) said : 		#3

@sheepeatingtaz : I was able to install them via apt-get ... that's not the problem...

@Alan : I already apt-got them :) The thing is - why it showns a limited set, and how can I ask to include checkgmail ?

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Wladston Viana (wladston) said : 		#4

Alan one more thing - what are you saying contradicts the applications - it says "view: All available applications" :)

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Alan Pope 🍺🐧🐱 🦄 (popey) said : 		#5

It shows a limited set because it's designed to be easy to use and not confuse users with huge lists of packages. Users generally don't use apt-get and will get confused by Synaptic. If you are happy with apt-get then Add/Remove isn't designed for you.

The drop down in the top right "All available applictions" may well be misleading but it doesn't contradict what I said. The Add/Remove program is an easy to use application for users to install the most popular programs, synaptic shows ALL programs that are in the repositories you have enabled.

You can easily test this by looking for moonbuggy or cowsay in Add/Remove and see they don't show up. Now look for them in Synaptic.

If you open the online help for Add/Remove you will find on page 4 "About Install and Remove Applications" the following text:-

"To report a bug or make a suggestion regarding this package or this manual, send mail to <email address hidden>"

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Best Wladston Viana (wladston) said : 		#6

Alan,

Thanks for the reply :)

So I have to send a mail to that list .. okay :)

I'm not definetively happy with the apt-get, I HATE command line and everything related to it... I just use it as a last resource...

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Dean Sas (dsas) said : 		#7

Wladston, synaptic can do most things apt-get does and has a complete list of apps.

Also to report a bug about add/remove programs file it on launchpad: https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+source/gnome-app-install/+filebug

Bug reports that get sent through to <email address hidden> relies on some user copying and pasting that email into launchpad anyway.

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williamts99 (williamts99) said : 		#8

Also, I believe that Gmail Notify is available from the add/remove programs list. I guess that is why the other is not listed, trying to keep it as simple as possible. I think that everyone else probably uses synaptic when they want something that is not on that list.

System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager.

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Wladston Viana (wladston) said : 		#9

Dean : sure, but I find synapitic too much "full of things" ... don't know if you get the idea... I won't report a bug, since it does not look like a bug - we just need to find out how is that list available to "add/remove" made.

williamts99 : check for yourself. checkgmail if FAR better than gmail-notify.... I have used both, and I can assure you that!

I go to synamptic when I don't find it on that list too. But - why to make things complicated to the user ? I believe checkgmail is a very good application that most people that go into linux and use gmail will have interest into.