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This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Ubuntu 7.10 Linux Unleashed, 3rd EditionUbuntu 7.10 Linux Unleashed, 3rd Edition

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This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Ubuntu 7.10 Linux Unleashed, 3rd EditionUbuntu 7.10 Linux Unleashed, 3rd Edition

Learn More Buy

Configuring Software Repositories

Ubuntu uses software repositories to get information about available software that can be installed onto your system. By default, it only allows access to a small portion of software (even though this software is officially supported by Ubuntu). However, Ubuntu is based on a much older Linux distribution called Debian. Debian has access to more than 17,000 different packages, which means that Ubuntu can have access to these packages, too.

To do this, you need to use one of Ubuntu's GUI tools, found under System, Administration, Software Sources and shown in Figure 2.2. On the first tab (Ubuntu Software), you have five options to choose from, depending on your specific requirements. It is entirely up to you which options you check, but make sure that as a minimum the first check box is checked to allow you to select "official" software with Canonical support for Ubuntu. The more boxes you check, the wider your selection of software. It's also a good idea to make sure that the Proprietary Drivers box is checked in order to benefit from drivers that could enhance your system's performance.

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.2 Enable both Universe and Multiverse repositories to allow access to a huge variety of software for Ubuntu.

Open Source Versus Proprietary

You will hear a lot of arguments about using Proprietary drivers within Ubuntu. Some people feel that it goes against what Open Source stands for, in that the underlying code that is used for the drivers cannot be viewed and modified by the wider community (as opposed to the actual driver developers). However, there is also a strong argument that says users should have to undergo the least amount of work for a fully functional system. This is certainly the case for graphics cards, although at the time of writing AMD has announced the open sourcing of the ATI graphics driver.

Ubuntu takes a middle of the road stance on this and leaves it up to the user to either enable or disable the repository that gives access to proprietary drivers. Why not give the open source drivers a chance before plumping for a proprietary one?

Once you are happy with your selections, switch to the Updates tab to configure Ubuntu's behavior when updates are available (see Figure 2.3). By default both the important security updates and recommended updates are checked to ensure that you have the latest bug fixes and patches. You can also choose to receive proposed updates and back-ports (software that is released for a newer version of Ubuntu but re-programmed to be compatible with 7.10), but we'd only recommend this if you are happy to carry out testing for the community as any updated software from these repositories can have an adverse effect on your system.

Figure 2.3

Figure 2.3 Configure which updates you want, and you want them to be handled in the Updates tab of Software Sources.

Ubuntu also allows you to configure how often it checks for updates, as well as how they are installed. By default Ubuntu checks daily for updates and, if there are any available, will notify you. However, you can change the frequency (something which is recommended if you want to have a structured update policy) and the actions Ubuntu carries out when it finds available updates. We recommend keeping the notification only option as this allows you to see what updates are available prior to them being installed. If you want to save time then choose Download All Updates in the Background to allow Ubuntu to silently download the updates prior to you choosing to install them.

CAUTION

We don't recommend selecting the option which automatically installs security updates. It's important that you have the option of choosing to install updates as there is always the chance that an update may cause problems. The last thing you want is for your system to suddenly stop working because an update was installed that has broken something without your knowledge. After configuring your update options, click the Close button. Ubuntu will prompt you to say that the software information is out of date and needs to be refreshed, so click Reload to retrieve the very latest update information. After a few seconds you will be returned to your desktop and can carry on working.

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