Installing Programs on Ubuntu

[toomuchtes]

How do i install programs on Ubuntu? I wanna install steam but i cant, im so confused...

 

[nigelren]

Steam is only in Beta at the moment on Ubuntu - have a read of http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/12/steam-for-linux-beta-adds-yet-more-users for more info.

 

[toomuchtes]

Steam is only in Beta at the moment on Ubuntu - have a read of http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/12/steam-for-linux-beta-adds-yet-more-users for more info.

Where can i get the Beta?

 

[toomuchtes]

But also how do i install anything, i cant even use disks...

 

[stillblue]

But also how do i install anything, i cant even use disks...

.

Most programs can be installed from the repositories. They can be found by connecting to the internet and clicking on "Ubuntu Software center" or "Synaptic" from your program menus. When you have a few minutes it is a good idea to update the repositories by clicking "reload" in Synaptic to get the latest versions in the repository. There you will find thousands of programs where you simply mark to install and Ubuntu does the rest (OK, some programs will demand setups like mysql needs admin and password). For more advanced and detailed info I like this guide. http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware

Often it is also a good idea to check each software company for the latest versions not yet in the repositories but you may want to work with Synaptic and Software Center a bit first.

 

[The Stealthinator]

Any software you download outside the Ubuntu software center (I've heard) isn't official and it may contain bugs or viruses.

 

[Ijack]

You're not trying to load Windows programs from disks are you? Not many Linux programs come on disks. Windows programs don't run on Linux (not quite true, but not by default).

 

[stillblue]

Any software you download outside the Ubuntu software center (I've heard) isn't official and it may contain bugs or viruses.

The operative word is may. Going to any website may contain viruses as well and you should go to sites you trust. That's why the folks at Ubuntu make the warning, just in case. There are many programs that the updates don't appear in the repository very quickly and you have to go to their sites to get the latest. Firefox, Chromium, Eclipse, Netbeans and Webmin for example are all programs I stick with the author's sites because of functionality and security updates that will take awhile to get into the normal repositories. These sites tend to be pretty open about warning you as to which versions are still in a beta stage and which are stable.

So yes, for most of my installs I use the repositories, I don't need the latest Tuxracer, but for those that affect my work or security I stray and keep up to date.