How to add CD/DVD entry into Debian Linux source.list file

In Debian based linux(deb package management system) Linux "/etc/apt/sources.list" is the file which tells your linux box where the repository.  Regardless of the new packages installation mode (whether via terminal with apt-get command or with synaptic package manager) this file is referenced to fetch the needed .deb files.  For this method you need to have a good internet connection.

If you have installation CD/DVD you can add this to the source.list file and use that as your repository(only to install the packages available in the CD/DVD).  how to do that?

[What apt tool actually needs is a catalog file to use (packages.gz) and the original .deb packages.  As the installation CD/DVD contains it we can use the same as like online repo.]

1. Insert your CD/DVD into the drive and ensure it is mounted properly

2. Go to terminal by
Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal (Steps for BOSS GNU/Linux)

3. Type the following command

$sudo apt-cdrom add

This command will add the cdrom entry into the /etc/apt/sources.list.

4. Now update your apt file with the following command

$sudo apt-get update

5. Install the packages you need by

$sudo apt-get install

How to install a specific version of a debian package?

Some times the debian package version which is installed in your linux box (say foo-package-x.y.xy ) is different from what version you really want(say foo-package-y.x.yx).  Assume that both the versions are available in the repository.  So, how we install the exact version we needed..? Here comes the solution, from terminal issue the following command,

$sudo apt-get install foo-package=y.x.yx
Replace the foo-package with your packagename, y.x.yx with the version (name)number you need.  Now, the package with the given version will be installed.

If you want to see all the available versions of particular debian package in the repository.. do the following,
$sudo apt-get update 
The above command updates the package index of your machine with the repository.
$sudo apt-cache show <package-name>
The above command shows the details of package, where we find version details also.

Want to install linux debian packages without internet connection..? check this out

How to install/configure skype in debian based linux?

skype:

 is a VoIP based software application which is mainly used for peer to peer phone/video call, instant messaging over internet connection in free of cost^*.  To use this one should have a valid user account with skype.  Now, skype have features like file transfer,  video conferencing also.

free of cost^*  - Only between skype accounts,  yes you can call/sms any landline/mobile phone... but with applicable call charges :(.

1. Download the latest linux version of skype from here.  Select your exact distribution like debian, Opensuse, ubuntu etc..

2. Install the downloaded package using your package manager.  I am using BOSS GNU/Linux 4.0 and it is a debian based one.  So, the following steps regarding installation is applicable to only to the debian based linux  distributions like ubuntu, BOSS GNU/Linux, linuxmint, knoppix etc.

GUI way:
Right click the downloaded skype-xy-z.deb package -> Open with gdebi package installer -> Install

Command line way:
$dpkg -i fullpath-to-downloaded-directory/skype-xy-z.deb

Once installed, as per your distribution's application classification skype menu will be placed either below internet or sound & video.  In BOSS GNU/Linux it will be placed under Internet.

3. If you have skype user account already then just use it.  If not create your user account by "Do not have user account.? create " link from the Skype GUI application.

GUI -> Graphical User Interface
BOSS -> Bharat Operating system solutions
GNU -> GNU's Not Unix
VoIP - Voice over IP(Internet Protocal)

How to install chrome extensions/plugins/add-ons from unofficial sites?

By default google-chrome browser allows to install the extensions that are got from google's chrome webstore only.  So, what if you not find a useful extension in chrome's web store but available/downloadable with some third party website...?   How to install those extensions(.crx files)?

* Basically the google-chrome's extensions are .crx files.
* The extensions that available with chrome webstore be installed directly
* To install these third party extensions do the following.

1. Open your chrome browser -> Click on the  symbol(at the right top, just below the close,minimize buttons of the browser window) -> Tools -> "Extensions"
2. Now open the directory where you have your third party chrome extensions(.crx files), then drag and drop the .crx file into the chrome browser tab where the "Extensions" is open.
3. Now google-chrome browser will prompt you with "cancel" & "add" button.  Click on the "add" button the extension will be added to the browser.

How to install extensions of google chrome? / "Add to chrome" button missing/not shown.

First is first..
1.  Why i write this blog post.
  Previously i have google chrome browser (version details are in the following image)

google-chrome old version

When i try to install the chrome extensions in this browser.. i can search, view, read about the extension, can see the review and so.. but the problem is there is no "Add to chrome" button anywhere in the extension detail.. :(

I spent 10 minutes to find the solution but.. no fruitful information is found.  So, atlast i reinstalled my google chrome browser with the newer version(details in the following image).  Now when i browse for the extensions, it shows "Add to chrome" button also.  So, i can easily install the extensions now.

google-chrome new version

2.  How to steps
2.1 Go to the google chorme extensions website
* Click on the wrench -> Tools -> Extensions -> Get more extensions (or)
* Directly going to the chrome's webstore.
* Open new tab, at bottom you can see a label named "Apps" click on that, then click on chrome web store
2.2 Browse the extension in the "search the store" text field and finalize which extension you want
2.3 Click on the extension, there you can see a "Add to chrome" button, just click on it.. Your extension is installed.

Link to the Dictionary extension.

How to generate package download script using synaptic?

This post describes how to install linux (.deb)packages into a linux machine which have no/low speed internet connection[In linux one should have a good internet connection to get connected to repository to install any new packages].  Ofcourse this will be achieved only through a another linux machine(of same distro&same version unless you know how to modify /etc/apt/sources.list and update the linux machine) that has good internet connection like your Relative's/friend's machine or a linux box in browsing center etc.  I am explaining the following thing with BOSS GNU/Linux 4.0(savir version name).

We can achieve the installation of a package into a machine with low/no internet connection

Method 1:

1. The machine in which you want to install  go  System -> Adminstration -> Synaptic Package Manager

2. Select the package which you want to install.  

 Note: Synaptic itself selects all the other dependency packages that are needed to install the package you selected.  You can see a green color tick mark, those packages are going to be installed

3. Now click on File -> Generate Download script, give a file name for the script and select path to save it.

4. Keep the resultant file with you & execute that shell script file in a machine which have the internet connection, it will downloads all the packages(.deb files) that are needed to install the packages you selected.  

5. Copy all those files to your linux machine and install through terminal as follows

$cd /path_to/deb_files/directory

$sudo dpkg -i *.deb

6. Now the packages is installed successfully thats all.

Method 2:

Another way, is install the package which have a good internet connection and copy the .deb files downloaded for that installation, use it in your system

1. First clean the archives directory

$sudo apt-get clean

2. Install the package which you want using

$sudo apt-get install <package_name>

3. copy all the .deb files from the /var/cache/apt/archives directory to your removable media(pendrive)

$mkdir /media/<your_perndrive_moutn_point>/deb_directory

$sudo cp /var/cache/apt/archives/*.deb /media/<your_perndrive_moutn_point>/deb_directory

4. Insert the pendrive in your machine and do the following

$cd /media/your_pendrive_mount_point/deb_directory

$sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Thats all the packages are installed in your machine...  This two methods are useful when you try to install huge packages like office, gimp, blender etc...

any how Methode 1 is best one as it creates the script to download the .deb packages that actually is needed to install into your machine, and it doesn't install only downloads.  

Want to see the Recently Installed/UnInstalled packages in your system?

We know that everything is loged in Linux. The installation, Uninstallation is not exception. The full details of latest installation, removal package is stored in the file

/var/log/apt/history.log

So if one accidently uninstalls a package and not know the name, he can easily find it in this log file. :)