Handy Hints about Synaptic 123

Handy Hints about Synaptic

Synaptic can install new packages too. With so many packages available, the choices can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, Synaptic has a few tools that can help you narrow down the package list to a more manageable size. You can also find out a lot about a package before you download and install it on your computer.

Changing repositories

Synaptic works its magic by connecting to software repositories scattered around the Internet. Synaptic comes preconfigured with the information required to connect to a number of repositories, and it’s ready to use the repository that’s right for a Fedora distribution. Most repositories organize packages into types and sections. The two most frequently seen types are rpm (installable packages) and rpm-src (source code for package): Unless you want to build your software from source code, stick with the rpm type. Sections are more diverse. At any given repository, you may see sections such as testing, stable, and updates. The section name gives you some idea of how safe the packages are within that section. Stay away from the testing section unless you’re in an adventurous mood.

By default, Synaptic enables only the “safe” sections. You may need to make changes to the repository list if a package that you want to install (or upgrade) can’t be found in the preconfigured sections. When you enable a section, the Packages list shows new packages distributed from that section (hopefully, the Packages list contains the package you’re looking for).

To enable a new section, follow these steps:

1. In Synaptic, choose Preferences Repositories.

A dialog appears, showing the repositories that

2. Enable a section by checking the box in the

Enabled column to the left of the repository URL.

It’s safest to choose from the repositories that offer packages for your specific Linux distribution. However, the other repositories include some great packages that might be worth checking out when you have some time to spare.

3. Click OK to close the repository list, and then click Update List to retrieve a list of available packages.

This process takes a minute or two, depending on your Web connection speed. Synaptic displays a pop-up as it retrieves index files.

Now when you open a package category, each package is color-coded:

The white ones are currently installed.

The beige ones have just been added to the list of known packages.

The red ones are broken packages (installed packages with unsatisfied dependencies).

The mint ones are the packages you’ve selected to install.

You can set your own color choices by choosing Preferences Preferences.

Viewing package details

Synaptic’s main package list can be a bit overwhelming because it displays so many packages. To narrow your choices a bit, use the Show drop-down list to filter out packages in different ways. Our favorite filter is Not Installed — that filter shows all of the packages just waiting to fill up your hard drive (see Figure 19-6).

Synaptic currently knows about.