[SOLVED] Web based package browser.

[anon222]

Yes, Firefox can be used for this.
More info here: http://blog.appnr.com/about/
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OK typing this part for the third time because I got 2 '500 internal server error' messages
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Anyone can install apturl but it requires the package 'update-manager'
Ubuntu's update-manager can brake LL.
This is what I did to avoid installing update-manager:

First, I've installed these packages:
http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/upstr...u2_all.deb
http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/upstr...t1_all.deb
http://packages.linuxmint.com/pool/upstr...t3_all.deb

Then I had to make sure they don't get upgraded:

Code:

echo "apturl hold" | sudo dpkg --set-selections
echo "apturl-common hold" | sudo dpkg --set-selections

And finally I've configured Firefox to open apturl:
Enter about:config in the URL bar and add :

• network.protocol-handler.app.apt in character chain with /usr/bin/apturl as value,
  
• network.protocol-handler.app.apt+http in character chain with /usr/bin/apturl as value,
  
• network.protocol-handler.warn-external.apt in boolean value and put false as value,
  
• network.protocol-handler.warn-external.apt+http in boolean value and put false as value.
  

Close and restart Firefox.

[rokytnji]

Nice work Misko.
I won't be using it, but I am old school and stuck in my ways.

Looks to be a nice alternative to synaptic though.

[anon222]

Thank you rokytnji,
It's easy to use. though works only for Firefox.
or like this:

Code:

apturl apt:firefox

The forum won't let me edit for some reason.
I just have to add this at the end
Caracter chain: New > String; Bolean: New > Bolean

[Coastie]

I'm sticking with Jerry's recommendation:

For me, the only well tested and reliable software manager in Linux Lite is Synaptic. So from that you can deduce that I am not in favour of using anything but Synaptic.

[Mike]

Ha! I had almost forgotten about Appnr. I watched it develop years ago and thought it was fairly novel. I'm pretty happy with Synaptic or the command line though.

[rokytnji]

I won't be using it, but I am old school and stuck in my ways.

Well, The quickest way for me to jump ship is to have the rest go with the flow.

So later on. I will break out My Dell E5500 test laptop and give this a whirl.
See if I am the windshield or the bug when I try this out.

Later on is here



Ignored the later version available of downloaded mint packages in Gdebi. Followed Miskos tutorial by the numbers. I searched electricsheep> for another thread here. Looks OK to me. I have not used it to install anything yet though.

Modify:

Used the install buttons under the stars and told it to install electric sheep. The browser action thingy circled like something was loading for a split second and stopped. I checked with locate (after "sudo updatedb) electricsheep but nothing showed.

Code:

~$ apt-cache policy electricsheep
electricsheep:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: (none)
  Version table:

So my best guess is. Without the electric sheep Ubuntu ppa. Even though it shows up in appnr. Nothing will happen on install till apt says it is available. Because "sudo apt-get update" after installing appnr in Firefox does not change repos on the fly.
It just works with what you have. But shows what is available. Even if you cannot install it because you lack the ppa.

[Snubbi]

You can also use Lubuntu Software Center

Code:

sudo apt-get install lubuntu-software-center

[Wirezfree]

Posted by: Snubbi
« on: Today at 20:26:36 » Insert Quote
You can also use Lubuntu Software Center
Code: [Select]
sudo apt-get install lubuntu-software-center

Hi Snubbi,

It is being tested, so it's not 100% certain yet
https://dfgkh547-jsdfv8.iyhkj.tk/forums/index...pic=1141.0
See Post #12

Dave

[anon222]

So my best guess is. Without the electric sheep Ubuntu ppa. Even though it shows up in appnr. Nothing will happen on install till apt says it is available. Because "sudo apt-get update" after installing appnr in Firefox does not change repos on the fly.
It just works with what you have. But shows what is available. Even if you cannot install it because you lack the ppa.

Thank you for testing rokytnji. You are right it shows all the packages even if you don't have the ppa.
Lubuntu Software Center isn't showing all the packages.
I found an alternative Software Center. It's copyrighted , there is legal notice on the startup! But it's faster and even better than Ubuntu Software Center.
I whish there was something like this in the open-source world.

Installation:

Code:

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:appgrid/stable && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get -y install appgrid

[gold_finger]

Interesting post you've got here misko_2083.

Have never heard of either one of the software centers you've pointed out.  Haven't yet tested either of the two myself yet and probably won't have time for that this week, but appreciate the heads up.

From what's been posted so far, I gather that neither one "breaks" LL, but they may not necessarily be good for installing software because some of the things listed are not in the LL repos.  If that's the case, things like these might just be more useful to people (especially newcomers to Linux) as a source of well organized listings of software with good descriptions and screenshots that will be easier to understand than the somewhat more cryptic use of Synaptic.  In other words, use either of these (or lubuntu-software-center) for informational purposes only and use traditional Synaptic to do the actual installations once they find what they want.  (If something's not available through Synaptic, they can come here for help or use a search engine.)

Just food for thought right now.  Not a recommendation until further testing confirms that LL is not adversely affected by their installation.

Lubuntu Software Center isn't showing all the packages.

I started testing Lubuntu Software Center on two test machines a couple of days ago and can confirm that not all software for LL shows up in it for installation.  Most does, but not all.  Plan to test it long term to make sure future system updates don't pull something in that breaks LL.  So far it doesn't appear to hurt anything.  I did experience a potential problem on one machine -- but have a feeling it may have been due to physical hardware slowly failing on it rather than the software center itself.  Will have better idea as testing continues over time and will keep everyone informed accordingly.