3 Alternate Ways To Install Applications on Ubuntu

With the introduction of Software Center, Ubuntu made it easier for desktop neophytes to install and remove different applications. However, when you’re moving to a new desktop after a quick format, installing your quintessential set of applications could be quite a bummer. Here are 3 alternate ways in which you can install applications on Ubuntu without breaking a sweat.

Ninite (Linux version): Ninite is a service created solely for installing multiple essential softwares at once. Though this service was initially available only for Windows users, the team has quietly unveiled a Linux version too. The free web-based service presents users with options to install a variety of popular applications. Users just have to tick the checkboxes besides the applications they want to install and then click on the button that says ‘Get Installer’. The site will then create a custom .deb file that will install all the packages selected by the user in a quick, hassle-free way. Being in beta, the selection of applications that are available for Ubuntu is not as varied as the service’s Windows counterpart. However, the list does include some of the most popular applications for this platform including Chrome, Thunderbird, Skype, OpenOffice (Duh!), Adobe Air, Dropbox, Vlc, and more. There is also an option to include restricted codecs in the installer suite. Again, one may argue that all these applications can be installed using apt-get, which is quite a valid point. However, Ninite makes it easy for Windows migrants to find and install their required applications, all at once. Also, power users who want to help out new users might find this service useful as it can enable them to install multiple applications on the other user’s computer without letting him/her touch the command line.

Try out Ninite : http://ninite.com/linux

Eve installer: Eve installer is an Ubuntu application that lets users install, manage and remove applications on their system. Unlike Ninite, Eve Installer gives users a lot of applications to choose from. The Basic tab allows users to install essential applications like Dropbox, Wine, Wuala, Adobe Air and more. Similarly there are tabs for different categories of applications like Appearance, Games, Office, Multimedia and so on. Even rare apps like Boxee and Livestation are listed and can be installed with a single click.

Apart from handling applications, Eve also allows users to add new repositories like PlayDeb, Webupd8, Medibuntu, and Google. Moreover, Eve features options for cleaning packages, updating/upgrading system, cleaning obsolete packages and checking for broken repositories. In short, Eve provides every thing that’s needed for a user who wants to manage their applications more efficiently without touching the command line. To install Eve (still in beta!), just click on this link to start downloading the deb file. If Ubuntu Software Center warns about bad package quality, just click on the option ‘Ignore and Install’. Eve is also available for Linux Mint and can be downloaded from the developer’s site (the site’s in Spanish).

Ubuntu tweak: Unlike Ninite or Eve, Ubuntu Tweak is not a dedicated application installer. However, it does have an Application Center where users can select and install multiple applications at once. The selection of applications however, is much larger as compared to what Ubuntu’s Software Center offers. Apart from letting users discover and install new applications, Ubuntu Tweak’s Application Center also allows users to install new PPAs, clean packages, and manage installed applications. To download Ubuntu Tweak, just visit their website and download the deb file.

Ubuntu Tweak : http://ubuntu-tweak.com/

Image Credits: Duststorm on Flickr