how to download, and where to get the package i need for a stable installation for xbmc for ubuntu 8.10 gusty .386

You can find information at: http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?p=185738
You need to add repositories to you sources.list. Open up synaptic package manager then go to settings-->repositories-->third party software tab. Use add button then add this line:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-intrepid/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

then add another line:

deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-intrepid/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

If you want, you can add additional plugins repository for xbmc, you need to add this two lines:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/xbmc-addons/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/xbmc-addons/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

Add the lines one by one. Then close the repositories tab, and press the reload button. This will update your sources.list. Then use the search button and write xbmc. It show the packages you can install. Select and install them.

You can find information at: http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?p=185738
You need to add repositories to you sources.list. Open up synaptic package manager then go to settings-->repositories-->third party software tab. Use add button then add this line:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-intrepid/ppa/ubuntu gutsy main

then add another line:

deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-intrepid/ppa/ubuntu gutsy main

If you want, you can add additional plugins repository for xbmc, you need to add this two lines:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/xbmc-addons/ppa/ubuntu gutsy main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/xbmc-addons/ppa/ubuntu gutsy main

Add the lines one by one. Then close the repositories tab, and press the reload button. This will update your sources.list. Then use the search button and write xbmc. It show the packages you can install. Select and install them.

Sorry for double posting. My second message is for Gutsy repositories. First one was for Intrepid. It was mistake.

8.10 is Intrepid Ibex?
8.04 is Hardy Heron

7.10 is Gutsy Gibbon and is no longer supported. If you have gutsy then please upgrade to 8.04 at the very least. Sometimes all these numbers and letters get muddling so try going up to the top taskbar and click on

Applications - Accessories - Terminal

into the terminal/command window/console type

uname -a

Please then copy&paste the bit that looks a bit like "Linux ubuntu 2.6.27.9" into here so we can try to work out what you've got.

Thanks, good luck and regards from
Tom :)