What does "uncomment" mean?

Yes, in Linux, a # sign means ignore the line (in some files it doesn't (like menu.lst) so you will find some people using ##, this is also fine)

So to uncomment, simply delete the unnecessary # characters on the lines you wish to not be comments and actually be read by whatever system is reading the file

You will also notice the last line has a comment too

Thank you very much.

So what four (?) lines do I uncomment? I only see one: # deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jaunty-backports main restricted universe multiverse that looks to me like it needs to be uncommented before coming to the second direction to uncomment another following two lines.

And then following the second uncomment directive, I only see one # sign -- in the last line.

Or are the two "uncomment" directives referring to the same two lines?

As always, thank you for your help.

Randall

Compaq Presario 543OUS series 5000
RAM 256Mb; Clock 1.8 Gb
Hard Drive 30 Gb
16X Max* DVD-ROM; CD-RW
NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver (version 96) (recommended) [disabled]
Ubuntu 9.04; Ff 3.5.2

If what you posted is your actual sources.list file, you don't need to uncomment anything, the lines are already uncommented (This could been done by a package manager, may be "synaptic" or "software origins"). In case you wanted the source repositories (the repos that contain the source code of the packages), you'll need to uncomment this line:

# deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jaunty-backports main restricted universe multiverse

which is to say it should look like this:

deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ jaunty-backports main restricted universe multiverse

Note that if you are not a developer you won't be needing this repo. Ahh and one small correction, the # symbol doesn't comment a line, it comments all which is in the right side. For instance as you pointed out in the last line of your sources.list:

deb http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt jaunty main #WineHQ - Ubuntu 9.04 "Jaunty Jackalope"

In this case the repo is "active" and the commentary applies to the string on the immediate right of the # in this case WineHQ - Ubuntu 9.04 "Jaunty Jackalope"

Hope that helps

Depends entirely on what repos you wish to use. If you want access to them then uncomment them. The commented ones will NOT be used by package apps like apt-get, synaptic, aptitude etc.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories?action=show&redirect=AddingRepositoriesHowto#A%20Quick,%20Tongue-in-cheek%20Description%20of%20the%20Ubuntu%20Repositories

Thanks Tom, that solved my question.

Brilliant, nicely done :)))
Regards from
Tom :)

I Thank you all very much. I've only had my own computer for about 3 months and these months have been the beginning of some good learning. I shudder to think that I could still be missing out on all of this like I had been for many years.

Oh, sure, I've used computers at libraries and social clubs, and the like, for many years; but now is the first time that I've been exposed to what goes on "under the hood," so to speak, and it is fascinating. It is the Linux and Ubuntu communities that make it fascinating. If I had to go it alone, it would be rather dull and frustrating for me.

I can only trust that the many thoughtful, inventive, and considerate answers and responses that I've received will remain, archived on these cyber-pages, for years to come. They will be like keepsakes for me.

In closing this message, I want to add that while some times one answer stands above the rest, overall it's the gestalt of the whole mix that makes the best one clearer and more understandable. Thank you Tom, Federico, and Actionparsnip.

Randall

Hi, thanks :)))

We do try to work together to cover issues the other answerers may have missed or to help clarify an answer that someone else has made. That's often done in a style more like a family, complete with arguments and all. Welcome into the linux family, especially the Ubuntu branch ;)

Once a question has been marked as solved in Launchpad it automatically gets added to the "Solved Answers" database. Try asking a new question with the same title and this thread should pop-up as the top of the list of "most similar" solved questions. Also the Solved Answers seems to be fairly searchable, see the search tool at the far top right-hand corner? I am not sure how long these questions stay lurking around in the database for bu have found some from several years ago on occasion. Makes me feel quite embarrassed about some of my answers <shudders> lol

Hopefully you will soon find yourself answering questions in here as we are all (almost all) volunteers and it's beginning to look as though you already know more than most people asking questions about the sources list ;)

Good luck, have fun and enjoy linux
Regards from
Tom :)

Hi :)

Have you been able to try the new Ubuntu 10.04 before it gets officially released?
http://www.ubuntulinux.org/testing/lucid/beta2
Trying it as a LiveCd or as an extra dual/multi-boot would be ideal. Developers and everyone are keen to try to iron out any problems before 10.04 gets officially released so you might find faster & more effective answers to your bug reports which would make 10.04 work better on your system for you

Thanks and regards from
Tom :)