(New to Linux/ Ubuntu) "Update manager": how to find it and work with it in Kubuntu?

[SILVA Luis]

On Friday, 23 de November de 2007 11:48, Bas Roufs wrote:
> Esteemed members of the Kubuntu user group
>
> Several comments that came in after my recent mail on Thunderbird
> pointed on the possibility to update software from the 'Kubuntu' or
> 'Ubuntu' 7.10 'repository' by means of the regular 'update manager': not
> only for Thunderbird, but also for other software updates. I understood
> this would be a way to update without endangering the system stability.
> To such an system stability approach I attach much importance. I
> understood also that the Thunderbird update that is available in the
> repository, is 2.0.0.8 at present. One or two times I did find somewhere
> and somehow an 'update manager'. However, I do not always manage to find
> it when I'm looking for it :-). Moreover, I am not convinced that I
> already CORRECTLY used it, because I still have version 2.0.0.6 on my
> laptop, although I did one or two times something with that update
> manager :-). I can work with TB 2.0.0.6, version now, having
> successfully installed all the dictionaries I need. However, once some
> newer version is available in the repository, it could be useful to
> download and install it correctly. The same applies, of course, for
> other software.
>
> My question now is: where/ how can I find this 'update manager' when I
> need it?  Moreover, once I will find it: how can I correctly download
> AND install such updates?
Ok! Back to basics! Nearly all linux distributions keep or link to an 
up-to-date and stable repository of all the software they distribute. Think 
of it as all the content in your installation CD and much more being 
continuously kept up to date and in shape in the net for users to download 
and install.
Ubuntu has such a repository and is accessible through a few tools. I 
personally like "adept-manager" you can find it in the K-menu or even 
simpler, through katapult (it comes installed by default in Gutsy). Just type 
Alt+space and start typing the name. There will be then a pop-up asking you 
for your password. Do it. After that you get to a program that lists all the 
software available in the pre-configured repositories including all the 
software that you have installed from the installation cd. It WILL NOT show 
software you installed by hand by downloading and compiling.
All installations are done automatically after download with all the 
dependencies resolved by the program, so no need to worry about that.

There is a help menu available but I think the interface is pretty intuitive. 
The usual way of doing things is to dig for information on he net. If you 
want to understand what you are doing in this case, start searching for "deb 
packages".

Good luck

Luis
>
> If replies come in to this question, I will be able to review and answer
> them after this weekend. Have a good Full Moon weekend all of you!
>
> Respectfully Yours,
>
> Bas.
>
> --
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