Sometimes, though, there are times when a package is made available with no repository attached. When important updates are released, your system kindly prompts you to accept the updates, and you can accept them all from one centralized location. The repository model is so popular because it provides a link between the user (you) and the developer. $ sudo dnf config-manager -add-repo= Installing apps without repositories In fact, when you install certain software, such as GNU Ring video chat, the Vivaldi web browser, Google Chrome, and many others, what you are actually installing is access to their private repositories, from which the latest version of their application is installed to your machine.
You can usually install a repository as though it were a software package.
For example, EPEL serves Red Hat Enterprise Linux and CentOS, RPMFusion serves Fedora, Ubuntu has various levels of support as well as a Personal Package Archive (PPA) network, Packman provides extra software for OpenSUSE, and provides community build scripts for Slackware.īy default, your Linux OS is set to look at just its official repositories, so if you want to use additional software collections, you must add extra repositories yourself. Your distribution has its standard repository for software that it packages for you, and there are usually extra repositories common to your distribution. Since open source is all about user choice, if you don't like the graphical user interface (GUI) that your distribution provides, there may be an alternative that you can install. The relevant application is usually tagged with the software or package keywords, so search your launcher or menu for those terms, and you'll find what you need. Like the underlying command, the name of the graphical installer depends on what distribution you are running. Running Kubernetes on your Raspberry Pi.A practical guide to home automation using open source tools.6 open source tools for staying organized.An introduction to programming with Bash.A guide to building a video game with Python.If you’re a heavy Google Drive/Docs user, this may be the better solution for you.
Similarly, Google recently folded in full Office capabilities (thanks to its purchase of QuickOffice) into its own Docs, Slides and Sheets applications, retired the QuickOffice Android application and rebranded the companion Chrome extension. This will still create launchable shortcuts for them in the Dash, but ones that can be set to open in their own window frames and forgo the need to install any third-party packages. deb installer containing the links from the link below and is suitable for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and later.ĭownload Microsoft Office Web Apps (.deb) Other AlternativesĪ similar alternative is to install the official Office Online web applications from the Chrome Web Store, then add the app launcher to Linux. But is it nice to have the option? For sure. Are they useful? Depends on your workflow. The package also creates a new application category housing the links, letting you view the shortcuts separately from other applications as well as under the regular “office” apps directory.Īre these essential? Not really. Sound nifty? You get application shortcuts for: These are nothing more fancy than shortcuts to the respective Microsoft web app that opens in your default system browser. To make accessing these online versions easier from the Ubuntu desktop, the ‘Linux Web Apps project’ has created a small, unofficial installer that adds web app shortcuts (“glorified bookmarks”) to your application launcher. Install Microsoft Office Online Apps in Ubuntu Writer, Calc and Impress all boast varying degrees of Microsoft Office file interoperability, though in my own real world experience (thankfully brief) it’s not perfect.įor the times you can’t go without using Office file formats (as ideological as most of us are about open standards, we shouldn’t be blind to practicalities) but you’ve no desire to purchase a full MS Office licence to run through WINE, the official set of Microsoft Office Online web apps are the perfect answer. Reading, editing and saving to these proprietary formats is sort of possible on Ubuntu using the LibreOffice suite of apps.
It’s not everyone’s cup of joe, but Microsoft Office and its family of finicky file formats are a mainstay of many working and educational environments - for better or worse.