Installing software on ubuntu

[The Stealthinator]

Can anyone tell me the easiest way to install software on ubuntu (besides the software centre) when downloading from websites? Or does the process vary for different programs?

 

[nss000]

You are "asking for trouble" downloading *nix software from **anywhere** but the official repository. Yes yes , everybody sucks in NOSCRIPT, GHOSTERY etc; and one day we'll get screwed royally for it. The **walled garden** systems model is too robust & successful to be ignored, even when the lawn is piled with GNU crap.

Can anyone tell me the easiest way to install software on ubuntu (besides the software centre) when downloading from websites? Or does the process vary for different programs?

 

[The Stealthinator]

I don't know what you mean, but your answer isn't helpful to me.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

While it's inadvisable to install software from other than the official repository for your particular distribution it can be done quite successfully. There are almost always installation docs which need to be followed to the letter. Understand though that you will be running into problems (most often dependency related) that may not be resolvable (may be one reason it's not in the repository). If you choose to go outside the official channels you will be entirely on your own.

 

[The Stealthinator]

I mean when downloading .tar.gz files?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

That's what we're talking about.

 

[The Stealthinator]

Ok... I have never heard about these kind of issues before ("dependency related") that can't be fixed when downloading software from other websites. I guess you can't help me much more, but it's still not clear to me.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

If you don't know those terms then you most definitely have no business trying to go outside the repository.

 

[skittle]

I mean when downloading .tar.gz files?

You are likely downloading the source code, you must first extract the tarball, then compile against the correct libraries and install.

ubuntu has a nice write up for you already
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompilingEasyHowTo

 

[The Stealthinator]

Yes this is what I needed help with. Thanks. But this method will work with all source code?

 

[skittle]

With *all* code? Certainly not. How could it? This is just the most accepted way in the linux/GNU world. Its really up to the developer to decide what and how to compile the code.

but generally most things you find will follows like this:

tar -xzf foo.tar.gz
cd foo
./configure <configure options>
make
make install

Commonly if you download and extract the tarball you will find files such as 'README' or 'readme.txt' that contain instructions for compiling correctly. Its a good idea to read these

 

[The Stealthinator]

Ok that helped me. Thanks a lot

 

[The Stealthinator]

Best answer selected by The Stealthinator.