Search for and Add PPA’s from the terminal

One goal on the Ubuntu Software Centre’s roadmap is to add the ability to search for and add other users’ PPA’s. In the mean time we’ve seen other helpful tools spring up - such as the OMG! PPA! Installer that lets you install any PPA mentioned on this very site.

Bummed that there wasn’t an easy way to both search for and adds PPA’s from the comfort of the command line, David Ainley, better known online as ‘wrinkliez’, took it upon himself to created a tool to do just that.

For a ‘first foray into coding’ it’s pretty darn nifty, although certainly not the best tool to recommend to the terminal-allergic.

He’s even made a short video demoing the neat app: -

 

PPASearch Demoed

 

Install

If you think the tool would be a boon to you then installation is as follows: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wrinkliez/ppasearch
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install ppasearch

Source | UbuntuForums

Continue reading

Automatically Install Missing PPA GPG Keys With One Command (or your money back*)

Below is a simple script that automatically grabs any missing GPG keys.
If running an update ever spits this error at you: -

GPG error: http://ppa.launchpad.net jaunty release: 

The following signatures couldn't be verified because 

the public key is not available: NO_PUBKEY DAA9427DCBF475C3

Why not solve it in one command? Seriously.

1. Download this script: http://www.mediafire.com/?gnkmbteymna
2. Move the downloaded script to your home folder
3. Open a terminal and type: -

• sudo ./launchpad-update

5. That’s it!

The script will automatically scan your enabled repos and PPA’s and grab the correct distribution key for your release. All you need to do is run it!

Every now and again you will need to run it twice in a row if it fails to pick up a key but that’s hardly a great effort – just press the up arrow on your keyboard when in a terminal and hit return.

*That was a joke.

Sources:

ubuntuforums.org

Continue reading

Cardapio PPA change

Users of menu-applet replacement Cardapio will need to need to update their sources with a new PPA address in-order to continue receiving updates.

The change over announcement, made on the projects’ launchpad page, states that “[the] old PPA has been replaced with the more official-sounding ppa:cardapio-team/unstable”

The old PPA will no-longer work in a few weeks time.

The new address is: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cardapio-team/unstable

Continue reading

The Docky Stable PPA: The easy way to stay up-to-date safely

Although many users prefer to live on the bleeding edge of application development some people prefer the security, stability and general sass of stable versions; no random crashes, half-baked features or memory-munching bugs.

We feature Docky a lot here on OMG! Ubuntu! and a lot of the new features and changes we write about are only present in development versions meaning we don't spend much time helping out those looking to stay up-to-date the stable way.

Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid users wanting to install the latest stable release of Docky can do so by adding the newly created Official Docky Stable PPA.This PPA provides users with more recent versions of Docky than that available in the Ubuntu repositories.

The current stable release in the PPA is 2.0.5 - this is a bug-fix only release so you won't be seeing any of the new docklets we've been waxing lyrical about for the last few weeks but you you will be ensuring you have a pleasant and pain-free experience.

To add the PPA run the following in a terminal: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:docky-core/stable
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install docky

Thanks to Christopher & Ricotz

Continue reading

Install Ubuntu 10.10's Slick Software Centre in Lucid

Earlier today we showed off some of the progress being made on the next version of the Ubuntu Software in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat - including a brand new super slick animated 'Featured Apps' bar.

There is, of course, lots more currently going on with the development version of the software centre than just visual flair - there are bug fixes, performance improvements & a new option to share install links via micro-blogging services directly from the Software Centre itself.

Install Maverick's updated Software Centre in Lucid

You don't need to dip your toes in the waters of temptation to start benefiting/tearing your hair out over the latest development version of the Ubuntu mall as the awesome Guido Iodice mailed us to share with you that he maintains a back ported version in his exhaustive PPA (which is only recommended for those who are okay with bleeding edge packages, potential new bugs & more than their fair share of breakages every now and then.)

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:guido-iodice/guiodiclucid
• sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install software-center

Thanks Guido!

Continue reading

64bit Flash PPA

The title says it all, really. A PPA for 64bit Ubuntu users to get the latest Adobe Flash plugin from.

In light of the recent malware issues from .deb's on gnome-look.org I've checked over these .debs and they seem perfectly safe*.

PPA

https://launchpad.net/~sevenmachines/+archive/flash

Add the PPA via a terminal using

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sevenmachines/flash

Install

You may then proceed with installation by searching for or typing: -

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install flashplugin64-installer

* Downloaded and checked on 12th December @ 6.50PM

thanks to Vadim P

Continue reading

Qwit Twitter Application Gets A PPA

One of my favourite twitter clients available on Linux is 'Qwit' - a qt4 based Twitter applications with a ton of features baked in such as twitpic uploading, URL shortening, contact management & more.

Qwit was the winner in my "6 Linux Twitter Apps Reviewed” article a month or so back, and i'm still using it!

Today sees it get a shiny new PPA for the development version! I've been using the beta for a while now and it really is a fantastic improvement on an already-fantastic application.

Add the PPA

You can add the PPA to karmic via a terminal with one command: -

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dr-akulavich/qwit

Continue reading

Experimental OpenShot PPA Launched, No Longer Removes Video Playback

OpenShot – a much loved Video Editor here on OMG!UBUNTU! - today launched a new experimental PPA for people wanting to sit on the bleeding edge of it's development. 

FFMpeg Off!
The current PPA proved to be nothing more than a disaster for users who installed OpenShot from it. OpenShot was packaged with it's own codec libraries which replaced users traditional ones. The result was no video playback and required a jolly jaunt around some terminal commands to get it back working. It seemed users were stcuk with either OpenShot or keeping video playback.

Resolved!
The new 'openshot-edge' PPA solves this issue so users can install it (and heck uninstall it!) without creating issues or problems on their systems.

OpenShot-Edge

Each time an update is committed to bzr, this PPA is updated. This isn't the most stable version of OpenShot... just the newest most bleeding edge version.

~ Jonathan Thomas, OpenShot Developer

This PPA is Karmic only and will not be totally stable. If it's new features sooner you're after then this is the PPA to use!

Install
You can add the PPA via software sources using: ppa:jonoomph/openshot-edge
or via the terminal using: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonoomph/openshot-edge

Continue reading

10 PPA’s You Shouldn’t Be Without

PPA’s (Personal Package Archives) are a great way to automatically stay up-to-date with your favourite applications and packages.Below are my top ten recommendations for Ubuntu users.

Some are development PPA's meaning you get the latest features first but there may be the odd bug or two.I'm sure you have your own list so why not share your tips in the comments!

How to add a PPA in Ubuntu
To add an PPA, open up Software Sources (System > Admin > Software Sources and choose the Third Party Sources tab)

In Karmic this tab is renamed "Other Software"

 

How to add a GPG key in Ubuntu
In Karmic, key’s are automatically received when you add the PPA.In prior versions you need to manually add them.To add a GPG signing key we’ll use a simple terminal command: -

• sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys key-number-goes-here

All you need to do is paste the the command from the PPA below into a terminal, hit enter/return and et voila!

Get Them Automatically!
If you installed a PPA previously and are being harassed by authentication errors because you never added it's signing key, use this script to automatically grab GPG keys.

If you really want to be lazy you can just add the PPA's listed below and then run the script to grab the GPG keys automatically.Let's go!

Chromium Daily | Web Browser

Although Google Chrome is already available for Ubuntu, many people like to live on the bleeding edge and use Chromium, the development arm of Google Chrome and a browser in it’s own right.

The PPA is updated daily and contains both 32bit and native 64bit versions.

Karmic PPA: ppa:chromium-daily/ppa

Jaunty/Intrepid/Hardy PPA:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu YOUR_UBUNTU_VERSION_HERE main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu YOUR_UBUNTU_VERSION_HERE main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 4E5E17B5

Epiphany | Web Browser

Epiphany is the default Gnome web browser. Being webkit based it has speed on it's side.

The Epiphany-extensions package comes with a set of popular extensions for the browser including adblock.The Epiphany PPA requires the webkit PPA to also be installed.

Karmic PPA: ppa:webkit-team/epiphany

Jaunty/Etc PPA:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/epiphany/ubuntu karmic main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/epiphany/ubuntu karmic main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 2D9A3C5B

Webkit PPA:

Karmic PPA: ppa:webkit-teamJaunty/Etc PPA:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/ppa/ubuntu karmic main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/ppa/ubuntu karmic main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 2D9A3C5B

Banshee | Music Player

Get the latest release of music player/manager Banshee by adding the official PPA.

Karmic PPA: ppa:banshee-team/ppa

Jaunty-to-Gutsy PPA:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/banshee-team/ppa/ubuntu karmic main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/banshee-team/ppa/ubuntu karmic main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 6E80C6B7

Banshee Daily Builds

If you're impatient for the latest features and fixes you can add the Banshee Daily PPA alongside the stable PPA. This updates Banshee everyday with the latest bug squashes, features and, of course, new bugs for you to enjoy.

Karmic PPA: ppa:banshee-team/banshee-daily

Jaunty/Etc:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/banshee-team/banshee-daily/ubuntu karmic main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/banshee-team/banshee-daily/ubuntu karmic main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 6E80C6B7

Pidgin | Instant Messenger

I'm sure you know what Pidgin is and does! This PPA is replete with more up-to-date builds, although they may be more 'beta' than stable, you'll likely encounter very little issue. (I haven't!)

Karmic PPA: ppa:pidgin-developers/ppa

Jaunty - Hardy PPA (Replace 'kamic' with your version name, e.g. hardy):

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pidgin-developers/ppa/ubuntu karmic main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/pidgin-developers/ppa/ubuntu karmic main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A1F196A8

Emesene 1.5 | Instant Messenger

The PPA for Emesene 1.5 will keep you fully bug-fixed, feature au courant and stable with Linux's premier MSN Messenger clone.

Karmic PPA: ppa:bjfs/ppa (note, there are no Karmic packages available yet)

Jaunty PPA:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/bjfs/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/bjfs/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys E2314809

Gimp Testing | Image Editor

Although it's not an official testing PPA you can still try out the latest version of Gimp - the might fabled Gimp 2.28 - thanks to matthaeus123. 

Built from the official Gimp GIT, he 2.28 release brings a whole supermarket trolley full of improvements including the long-lusted single window mode and direct text editing.

PPA Karmic: ppa:matthaeus123/mrw-gimp-svn

PPA Jaunty:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/matthaeus123/mrw-gimp-svn/ubuntu jaunty main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/matthaeus123/mrw-gimp-svn/ubuntu jaunty main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 405A15CB

Official Google Repositories | Miscellaneous

To install Google-Earth, Picasa and other Google applications you should add the Official Google Repo's. You do need to install both stbale and testing to access most and in order to access most recent software you really can't afford not to use the testing repo. (Google keep lots of applications in Beta for years. GMail only recently shook off it's Beta tag...)

PPA:

• deb http://dl.google.com/linux/deb/ stable non-free
• deb http://dl.google.com/linux/deb/ testing non-free

GPG: Needs to be added manually. Download the key from here.

OpenShot | Video Editor

OpenShot is the "iMovie" of Linux. Simple user-friendly interface, tons of effects and transitions and all so easy to use. This development PPA will keep you bang-up-to-date with the latest features and improvements (and likely a few bugs!).

Currently you should NOT add this PPA. The OpenShot team are working to fix an issue whereby video playback is removed if you install OpenShot from it.When it's all sorted (i'll be sure to let you know!) the OpenShot PPA will become essential for anyone looking to do some video editing or even just looking to have feature parity with Windows.

Karmic PPA: ppa:openshot.developers/ppa

Jaunty PPA:

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openshot.developers/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/openshot.developers/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com B9BA26FA

Empathy Development | Instant Messenger

Empathy Instant Messenger is a great tool - but it also have very rapid development, too. Stay on top of the latest features by adding the bleeding edge Empathy PPA.

Karmic PPA: ppa:telepathy/ppa

Jaunty - Hardy PPA (Replace 'jaunty' with hardy or intrepid, etc):

• deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/telepathy/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
• deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/telepathy/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

GPG: sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com FA3A1271

Thanks to reader Hou for suggesting I write a post on PPA's.

If you think there is something i should write about let me know in the comments or via joeysneddon at gmail dot com.

Continue reading