Malformed line 1 in source list

Also, when I go into the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pidgin-ppa.list
 folder I see one line:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pidgin-developers/ppa/ubuntu main

Thanks,

Sam

Sorry, for the long chain:

if you have suggestions, please post here and also email at
samying at gmail dot com

thanks,
sam

The line should read :

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pidgin-developers/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main

Assuming you're running 8.10 intrepid.

When I go into that file it says it is read-only, how do I change the text in the file (and I don't know if I'm running 8.10 intrepid...)

Type 'lsb_release -d' to find the version you're running.
You'll need to be root to edit that file :

gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pidgin-ppa.list

when I typed the above it says:

Ubuntu 7.84

Are you sure that's not 7.04? If it is you're running an old, unsupported, version and you should look at the ubuntu website for details on how to upgrade to something newer.
In your case, as you don't appear to be concerned with running "the latest and greatest" I'd recommend the 8.04 version which is a LTS (long term support) version and will be supported by Ubuntu with security upgrades for at least two years.

Thank you so much for your advice so far, I might be heading to bed soon
though, but I want to stay in contact with you since you're really
straighforward and friendly. Would you mind if I emailed you directly? If
you do, that's no problem I can converse via the launchpad site instead.

Thanks again,

Sam
<email address hidden>

On Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 2:38 AM, Andy Ruddock <
<email address hidden>> wrote:

> Your question #67215 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/67215
>
> Status: Open => Answered
>
> Andy Ruddock proposed the following answer:
> Are you sure that's not 7.04? If it is you're running an old, unsupported,
> version and you should look at the ubuntu website for details on how to
> upgrade to something newer.
> In your case, as you don't appear to be concerned with running "the latest
> and greatest" I'd recommend the 8.04 version which is a LTS (long term
> support) version and will be supported by Ubuntu with security upgrades for
> at least two years.
>
> --
> If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
> know that it is solved:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/67215/+confirm?answer_id=6
>
> If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
> following page to enter your feedback:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/67215
>
> You received this question notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of the question.
>

--
Samantha C. Ying
Environmental Earth System Science
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-2115
p: 650-430-2336
f: 650-725-2199

I don't mind being contacted directly, but it's better to do this via launchpad - that way, other people can help with solutions and other people can solve their problems by reading the solutions to your problems.

Hi,
you may note this sites on how to upgrade.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/upgrading

Please note also, it isn't possible to skip an Ubuntu version, e.g. upgrading directly from Feisty 7.04 to Hardy 8.04, hence you may consider a new installation.

Finally you'll find pidgin preinstalled in menu applications -> internet
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InternetApplications

Enjoy Ubuntu