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what does universe imply

Asked by Peter Leon Collins

what should I understand about software if it carries a 'universe' or 'multiverse' description?

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Nigel Babu
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Best Nigel Babu (nigelbabu) said : 		#1

Universe, multiverse refers to the repository the softwares are maintained and gives you an idea about the software license and canonical support. For softwares in the main repository, cannonical provides updates and security fixes.

These is how they are classified by Ubuntu.

Canonical-supported Open Source software (main)
Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)
Proprietary drivers for devices (restricted)
Software restricted by copyright or legal issues (multiverse)

If you want to read more about repositories, please see https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories

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Peter Leon Collins (peter-peter-collins) said : 		#2

I followed the link to https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories (Jeff Waugh) then on Synaptic clicked the Versions tab for the Package of interest, and there saw versions marked as (jaunty-security), (jaunty-updates), and (jaunty). Guided by Jeff Waugh's sardonic descriptions, and being a wimp ("please don't break my system with experimental versions") I chose the version marked (jaunty), which I now understand is both: reasonably stable; and community maintained - being listed under the 'universe' heading. Thank you very much. Peter.