Kubuntu has a graphical interface that is called Adept. It's got 4 parts: the installer (add/remove programs), the main program (Adept), an update notifier, and the actual updater. These programs will help you install packages and keep your system up-to-date.To launch Adept, open the K menu and click on add/remove programs, or just type add/remove programs in Katapult. The add/remove programs main window opens.
Add/remove programs groups programs into 3 groups: packages that can be installed with KDE, applications that can be installed with GNOME, and applications that can be installed on either desktop environment. To search for a needed application just type in the application you're looking for , click on it, select install. Once you click on Apply Changes, add/remove programs will download info from the respository and install the application. Add/remove will also automatically download any dependencies to prevent conflicts or broken programs.
The main Adept program is slightly more powerful than add/remove programs. Not only can you install programs and update your system, you can also manage the different respositories from which programs are downloaded. To start Adept and install new applications, open the K menu and move through the System folder to Adept. A screen called Adept Manager will open and you can scroll through the different packages. Locate the name of the application, click the drop down arrow, select install. All of the applications will be queued until you click on apply changes. In most cases you won't even have to do a system restart in order for the new applications to work correctly (a restart could be required if KDE is updated.)
Packages have 4 groups or respositories: main, restricted, universe, and multiverse. Standard installation sets up the system to install packages from the main repository and these installations are guaranteed to receive security updates and support through the various venues. The restricted group is supported by the Kubuntu team, but they may not be able to change or update the package. The universe repository contains just about every other known open source software. Items in this group are built and maintained by the MOTU (masters of the universe) but there is no support from the core developers. And the multiverse repository contains software that is not free and users assume all risks.
A very important part of the installation package through Adept is to make sure you always preview the changes by clicking on preview changes before you can click on apply changes. This way you can change your mind and not install something right up to the point of actual installation by clicking on Undo. Hope some of this helps. And I agree, Ubuntu is awesome and getting better every day. Happy Holidays.
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