Find Out If When Your Favourite PPAs Are Updated For Ubuntu 11.04 With This Script

Will you upgrade to Ubuntu 11.04 soon and want to know if your favourite PPAs will be updated for Natty? David Callé has set up a script (comes with a GUI thanks to Zenity) that automatically checks all your current PPA repositories and lets you know the supported Ubuntu versions for each. Here's a screenshot with this Zenity script in action:

Usually, when you add a PPA that's not supported on Ubuntu 11.04 yet, you get a "404" error when running "sudo apt-get update" but that doesn't tell you which PPA caused the error so using this tool, you'll know exactly which PPA repositories work and which don't.

Using this script is as easy as it gets: just run it and it will scan all your PPA repositories and displays a "yes" or "no" for each Ubuntu version next to each PPA. Yes obviously means that PPA supports that Ubuntu version. The "status" column on the left shows if the PPA still exists or not (if the PPA page can be accessed).

You can get it via BZR (bzr get lp:~davidc3/+junk/repostory) or use the following command if you don't want to install BZR:

cd && mkdir checklp && cd checklp
wget http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~davidc3/+junk/repostory/download/head:/repostory-20110119093413-fsj5x2kgbf3y5mxq-2/repostory

Then install the dependencies and run it:

sudo apt-get install zenity curl
cd && cd checklp
chmod +x repostory
./repostory

And speaking of PPAs, check out our tool to search for packages, list packages in your PPAs, add/remove/purge PPAs and more: Y PPA Manager.

Install Java In Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal Via Repository

I've upgraded to Ubuntu 11.04 on my netbook a while back and as usual, I can't install Java the "official" way because the Ubuntu 11.04 Partner repository is not yet ready (it's usually available once the final Ubuntu version is released).

So what are the options for installing Java in Ubuntu 11.04 if you upgrade before the final version is released? You can download it from its website and install it manually and/or use the JDK updater script provided by Bruce Ingalls - but there are actually 2 much easier to use alternatives. Read on!

1. Install Java (JRE / JDK and the Java Plugin) In Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal using the Ubuntu 10.10 Partner repository

Press ALT + F2 and enter the following:

gksu /usr/bin/software-properties-gtk

Then, on the "Other software" tab click "Add" and add the following:

deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu maverick partner

Now reload the software sources and search for "sun jre" (or "sun jdk" if you want to install Java JDK) in the Ubuntu Software Center.

If you want to install Java JRE and the Java plugin via command line, copy/paste the following command in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin

For JDK, use:

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk

2. Install Java in Ubuntu 11.04 via PPA

There is another way to install Java in Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal: via a repository provided by lffl.org.

Add the PPA and install Java in Ubuntu 11.04 using the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ferramroberto/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin

For JDK, use:

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk

Thanks to lffl.org for the Ubuntu 11.04 Java PPA!

DockBarX Gets Closer To Version 0.40 Stable (DockBarX 0.39.8 aka 0.40 RC, Released)

DockBarX is a taskbar with grouping and group manipulation which works as an applet for both the GNOME Panel and Avant Window Navigator. DockBarX 0.39.8 (codename 0.40 release candidate) has just been released, bringing 2 changes:

• The tooltip for pinned programs with no open windows shows name and description now, just as normal Gnome launchers do.
• The width of the window list frame is slightly smaller.

DockBarX 0.39.8 (0.40 RC) also fixes many bugs, including pinning WINE, MONO and KDE applications related bugs and so on. A complete list of changes is available @ DockBarX Gnome-Look page.

Install DockBarX and Avant Window Navigator DockBarX applet in Ubuntu

DockBarX has its own PPA but it hasn't been updated with the latest version and also that PPA doesn't have the AWN DockBarX applet.

But the WebUpd8 PPA has been updated with the latest DockBarX 0.40 RC (aka 0.39.8) and our PPA also provides the AWN DockBarX applet (thanks to Hadret!).

To install the latest DockBarX 0.40 RC (0.39.8) in Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala, 10.04 Lucid Lynx and 10.10 Maverick Meerkat, use the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install dockbarx dockbarx-themes-extra

The last command above will install DockBarX as well as a package which has a lot of extra DockBarX themes (thanks to T. Scott Barnes for this package!)

To install the Avant Window Navigator DockBarX applet (which you can see in the screenshot above) in Ubuntu, run the following command (make sure to also add the WebUpd8 PPA and install DockBarX as explained above):

sudo apt-get install awn-applet-dockbarx

Important: to use DockBarX with AWN, you obviously need to install AWN. See how to install Avant Window Navigator in Ubuntu.

Debian Repository for DockBarX and AWN DockBarX Applet

Hadret maintains a Debian repository for both DockBarX, the extra DockBarX themes and the AWN DockBarX Applet (among many other packages which include Nautilus Elementary, covergloobus, Gloobus Preview, deadbeef, Equinox Engine and themes, Faenza icon theme, Zeitgeist, Mint Menu, NotifyOSD and others - all for Debian). You can find instructions for adding and using Hadret's Debian repository @ http://hadret.rootnode.net/

How to enable live Window previews for DockBarX

To enable live window previews in DockBarX (like you can see in both screenshots in this post), you need to install CompizConfig Settings Manager:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

Then go to System > Preferences > CompizConfig Settings Manager and enable the "KDE Compatibility" plugin (even if you're in GNOME), and also make sure all the "KDE Compatibility" plugin options are enabled. Then also enable window previews in DockBarX and it should work (Applications > Accessories > DockBarX Preference, on the "Popup Window" tab, check the "Show previews" option).

DockBarX is very close to the 0.40 final release. Please report any bugs you may find @ Launchpad

Sun Java Finally Uploaded To The Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Official Partner Repository

Until today, to install Java in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat, you'd either have to switch to the Lucid Partner repository or use a PPA. That's not required because Sun Java (6.21) has finally been uploaded to the Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat official Partner repository.

To install (Sun) Java in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat you'll have to enable the Partner repository: open Ubuntu Software Center and go to Edit > Software Sources, then on the "Other Software" enable the Partner repository (it should be the first on the list; it looks like this: "http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu maverick partner".).

Then, click "Close" and when asked, click "Reload" and finally install Sun Java6 in Ubuntu 10.10 by searching for it in Ubuntu Software Center.

New Ubuntu "Extras" Repository Is Now Live

The new Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat "Extras" (http://extras.ubuntu.com/) repository is now live. This repository will hold new post-release applications.

New post-release applications?

This repository will not hold updated versions of the applications already in the Ubuntu repositories. It was built to hold completely new applications so users don't have to wait for a new Ubuntu version to install an application which just came out (application, not new application version!).

That means the Ubuntu Extras repository doesn't have any purpose until after the Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat final release.

The new "extras.ubuntu.com" repository was planned to be added to the default sources.list starting with Ubuntu Maverick Meerkat Alpha 3 along with a prototype UI in the Ubuntu Software Center - so the new apps are easily discoverable. The Ubuntu Software Center got the "What's new" section, but the repository has not yet been added to the default Ubuntu 10.10 sources.list (which obviously means that the apps under "What's new in USC are not the ones in the Extras repo yet).

Besides the obvious advantage this brings to the end users: they get to install new applications without upgrading to newer Ubuntu versions and without using a PPA (and instead use an official, 100% safe repository), there's also one other big advantage: the developers don't have to release their applications in time for the Ubuntu development which could mean less bugs, more attention to details.

All the applications in the new Extras repository will be synced from a PPA (which you can add if you want to have these applications a little bit sooner than the Extras repository).

Super OS Repository For Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Comes With Adobe Air, Spideroak, TrueCrypt And Lots More

Super OS (formerly: Super Ubuntu) is a modified version of Ubuntu 10.04. But this post isn't about Super OS but about the amazing repository it comes with and which you can of course use on a regular Ubuntu 10.04 installation or any Ubuntu 10.04 based Linux distribution/remaster.

What's so great about the Super OS repository? Well, it comes with some applications which are not available in any other repository as well as other applications which are scattered between lots of PPAs or repositories - all in one place.

The Super OS repository includes applications such as: Adobe AIR, Adobe Reader, DropBox, IBM Lotus Symphony, Spideroak, TrueCrypt, Hulu Desktop, VirtualBox (the proprietary version), the latest WINE 1.2, Reconstructor, Google Earth, Google Desktop, Google Chrome, Picasa, codecs and others. You can find a list HERE - the versions in the list have not been updated, however the packages in the repository are the latest stable version. Unfortunately, a few of the above mentioned applications are only available for 32bit. A complete list of 64bit packages in the repository can be found HERE.

Add the Super OS repository to Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx

To add the Super OS repository to Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx, all you have to do is download and install THIS deb - it will add the repository and also install the repository key.

Then power up Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic and search for the application(s) you want to install.


How secure is the Super OS repository? I can't really tell you but since many of you use PPAs, think of it as a PPA - they are not official and you can either trust the repository maintainer or not.

Thanks to Miguel Ferreira and Gerald Young in the comments for the updated .deb link!

Medibuntu Repository Down - What To Do?

Medibuntu (Multimedia, Entertainment & Distractions In Ubuntu) is a repository of packages that cannot be included into the Ubuntu distribution for legal reasons (copyright, license, patent, etc).

Just when I was about to publish the "What To Do After A Fresh Ubuntu Install Script - New Version Released" post, I noticed that the Medibuntu main server is down. So I search for some mirrors.

Note: medibuntu.org is working, just packages.medibuntu.org is not

This wouldn't have been a very big deal normally, but with Ubuntu 10.04 final release due in a few days, a lot of people are upgrading to Lucid and they need Medibuntu.


I fixed this in the script by adding 3 mirrors, but here is how to manually fix it:


Firstly you'll have to find out where your Medibuntu repo is located. Run this in a terminal:

ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list

If the file exists, press ALT + F2 and enter:

gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list

If running the above command lists the medibuntu.list as not found ("ls: cannot access /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list: No such file or directory"), then do the following:

Press ALT + F2 and enter:

gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Then for both cases, search for the lines which point to the main Medibuntu repository, which should look something like this:

deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ lucid free non-free
deb-src http://packages.medibuntu.org/ lucid free non-free

Of course, if you're not using Lucid, it's going to say "karmic" or "jaunty", etc.

Replace these 2 lines with any of these 3 mirrors:

Mirror 1:

deb http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
deb-src http://mirrors.ucr.ac.cr/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free

Mirror 2:

deb http://mirror.oscc.org.my/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
deb-src http://mirror.oscc.org.my/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free

Mirror 3:

deb ftp://ftp.leg.uct.ac.za/pub/linux/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free
deb-src ftp://ftp.leg.uct.ac.za/pub/linux/medibuntu/ lucid free non-free

If you're not using Lucid, replace "lucid" in the above lines with "karmic", "jaunty" or whatever Ubuntu version you're using.

Then save the file and do an update to your sources.list:

sudo apt-get update

Update: there's an even easier way to fix this (thanks to defrysk). Apparently only the DNS are having issues so you can fix Medibuntu by keeping original address and pasting this in a terminal:

echo "88.191.101.8 packages.medibuntu.org" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts

GetDeb: Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx Repository Available

GetDeb is an unofficial project with the mission to provide the latest open source and freeware applications for the current Ubuntu Linux release, in an easy to install manner.

The GetDeb repository extends the official repositories by providing latest versions and new applications. Unlike the official packages, GetDeb packages do not have a predefined release schedule - new software versions are provided as they become available from their authors. There is a short and limited testing phase instead of a full testing cycle to ensure packaging quality, however it is less strict than Ubuntu's official requirements.

The GetDeb.net website has not been updated for Ubuntu 10.04 yet, however the GetDeb repository is already available for Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx users. There are not a lot of packages available for now, but more should be updated soon:

The getdeb repository for lucid was created past weekend, a few packages have been already uploaded.

I think we should focus on having a significant number of packages available for lucid on the 29th, even if that means stopping testing/publishing for 9.10 right now.

(João Luís Marques Pinto, GetDeb Team Leader)

To add the GetDeb.net repository in Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx, simply paste this in a terminal:

sudo bash -c "echo 'deb http://archive.getdeb.net/ubuntu lucid-getdeb apps' >> /etc/apt/sources.list"
wget -q -O- http://archive.getdeb.net/getdeb-archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

GetDeb Updated To Beta 2, Adds One Click Installs

GetDeb is an unofficial project with the mission to provide the latest open source and freeware applications for the current Ubuntu Linux release, in an easy to install manner.

GetDeb v2 Beta was released today, adding a new interface, somewhat similar to PlayDeb. The functionality was also borrowed from Playdeb: it now features an official repository and also you are able to install applications by simply clicking the "Install" link.

The beta address is: http://beta.getdeb.net/

GetDeb v2 improvements:

* Software installation using a GPG signed APT repository with mirror distribution
* Single click installation even for multi-package installs
* Automatic software updates (from the repository)
* New design - for the first time not based on a Ubuntu offical site
* Web based applications publishing

To add the new GetDeb repository, either follow the instructions on it's website or simply download the .deb file provided which adds both the repository and the GPG key:

Download GetDeb.net .deb file for adding the repository.

Then, browse the website and click "Install". Easy, huh?

[via handypenguin]

Linux Game Repository With a GUI: DJL

Djl is an open-source (GPL licensed) game manager written in Python 2.5 for the GNU/Linux Operating Systems, inspired by Valve's Steam software for Windows for which anyone can submit games, via THIS page.

The application is an interface to a repository which is continuously updated, and has lots of games. Basically, it's kind of like a PlayDeb with a GUI (please note that it does not use the PlayDeb repository, in fact it has nothing to do with it, I just gave it as an example). Djl displays information about the games in it's repository, screenshots and it also allows you to install the games with a simple click.

DJL also comes with a built-in chat so you can talk to other DJL users and perhaps invite them play some games.

Installing DJL

You can download DJL from HERE. For me, installing the latest version didn't work, that's why I used version 1.2.17 instead of 1.2.18. If that's also the case for you, download version 1.2.17 from HERE (if you get this error, make sure you don't upgrade to version 1.2.18, or else DJL will stop working, if you can install 1.2.18, lucky you, it didn't work for me :-) ).

Installing DJL is very simple: just download & extract the archive, then open a terminal in the folder where you extracted and run the following command:

sh djl.sh

A dialog box with all the settings will then pop-up:

Set everything to your suit your needs, but don't forget to set press the "Add a shortcut on GNOME / KDE panel" so you can easily access DJL; this will create an icon under Applications > Games (for Gnome) and once you power-up DJL, an icon will reside in the notification area which gives you access to all of DJL's features. Besides the ability to install games, you can also uninstall them, of course.

DJL also has a tab called "News" where you can see the latest games added to it's repository, etc. - another useful feature.

You can see the full list of games available through DJL, HERE.

[via anxurweb]

Fedora 11 Intel Poulsbo (GMA500) Graphic Drivers Repository

Adam Williamson has made available a repository containing a full set of packages to install the driver for Intel Poulsbo (GMA500) graphics chipsets (found in the Dell Mini 12, Sony Vaio P and other systems) on Fedora 11 (i586 only, not working for x86_64). The repository contains builds of all the latest components extracted from the Ubuntu Netbook Remix repositories where the driver is 'released'. 3D acceleration support, including Compiz, is working in this build.

To install, as root:

rpm -Uvh http://adamwill.fedorapeople.org/poulsbo/i586/poulsbo-repository-release-11-1.noarch.rpm
yum install xorg-x11-drv-psb

The only thing you’ll have to do manually is set up a /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. If you want, you can use this one. It has a Screen section which sets up a framebuffer size of 3280×1050, for a 1680×1050 display side-by-side with the 1600×768 panel. If you create your own xorg.conf, you may still need the line ‘Option “IgnoreACPI”‘ in the Device section, or you may not – I’m not entirely sure if it’s still needed with these latest versions of everything.