Managing Repositories

What are Repositories?

Thousands of programs are freely available to install in Kubuntu. These programs are stored in software archives (repositories) and are made available for installation over the Internet. This makes it easy to install new programs in Kubuntu. It is also secure, because each program is built specifically for Kubuntu and is checked thoroughly before it is installed. Kubuntu repositories are categorized into four groups:

  • Main

  • Restricted

  • Universe

  • Multiverse

Two factors are used to determine categories:

  • The level of support that software development teams provide for a program.

  • The level of compliance the program has to the Free Software Philosophy.

More information about the Repositories is available on the Ubuntu website.

The standard Kubuntu LiveCD contains some software from the Main and Restricted categories. Once a system has information about the Internet-based locations for these repositories, more programs are available for installation. Using the software package management tools installed by default, it is possible to discover, install, and update any piece of software directly over the Internet without the need for the LiveCD.

Adding or Removing Repositories

To enable extra repositories:

  1. Start Software Center by choosing Kickoff Application LauncherComputerMuon Software Center.

  2. Select SettingsConfigure Software Sources in the Muon package manager window.

  3. An administrative password is required in order to proceed.

  4. Next, click on the Other Software tab. Existing repositories can be enabled or disabled by checking the appropriate boxes in the upper section. To add a new repository, click the Add... button.

  5. Enter the repository address. The proper format is required, and looks similar to this:

    deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-ppa/backports/ubuntu oneiric 
    main

  6. Click the OK button to add the repository.

  7. Click the Close button.

    Note

    A prompt will appear to update the package list. Doing so will allow Muon to find the newly available software.

  8. To remove a repository, select it in Software Sources, and press the Remove button. When the process is complete, press the Close button.

    Note

    A prompt will appear to update the package list. Doing so will make Muon forget the no longer available software.