http://www.ghacks.net/2009/11/17/keep-your-linux-system-up-to-date-with-kpackagekit/
As you have most likely seen on Ghacks, there are numerous ways to keep your
Linux distributions up to date. There are new systems available such as the
Ubuntu Software Center (see my article "The new Ubuntu Software Center") that
make installing software a piece of cake. But even with applications such as
the USC in place, there is still a need for other systems. Take, for instance,
the USCs inability to install more than one package at a time
this is a big
issue within the Linux community. Add to that the fact that there are many
Linux users who prefer to stick with older, more proven technologies, and you
can see why other installation tools remain.
One of those tools is PackageKit. PackageKit is a background service charged
with updating and installing software on your computer. But because PackageKit
itself is just a background service, it requires a front end so that end users
can take advantage of the system. One very powerful front end is KPackageKit.
KPackageKit is the KDE front end for PackageKit, whereas Gnome PackageKit is
the GNOME front end (see my article "Installing applications in Linux with
GNOME PackageKIT.")
One of the things I like about KPackageKIT, over the Ubuntu Software Center, is
that it can not only install applications, it can update your already installed
applications. But unlike USC or Synaptic, you will have to know the name of the
software package in order to find it. KPackageKIT does not show all software
available. Instead you start up the tool with a blank slate and search for what
you want to install. You can search by:
* Description.
* File name.
But you can also apply various filters to your search. Included search filters
are:
* Collections.
* Installed.
* Development.
* Graphical.
* Free.
Let's take a look and see how software is installed with KPackageKIT.
Starting KPackageKIT
Figure 1
Figure 1
You can start the application two ways: Command line or from the menu. To start
from the command line hit <Alt>F2 to open the run dialog and enter the command
kpackagekit. To start the tool from the KDE menu click on the menu, click on
the Computer tab, and then click on the KPackageKIT entry (see Figure 1).
When KPackageKIT starts what you will see is a fairly simple interface (see
Figure 2). From this window you are able to:
* Install software.
* Update your system.
* Configure KPakcageKIT.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Let's install the Scribus DTP tool as an example. Follow these simple steps:
1. Select Software Management.
2. Open up KPackageKIT and enter "scribus" (no quotes) in the search area.
3. Click the downward-pointing arrows of the software(s) you want to install.
4. Click Apply.
5. When the new window appears, click Install Now.
6. If dependencies are necessary, OK them.
7. Enter your sudo (or root depending upon your distribution) password.
8. Wait for the installation to complete.
9. Click OK to dismiss the window.
Updating your system with KPackageKIT is just as simple. Follow these steps:
1. Open up KPackageKIT.
2. Click on the Software Update section.
3. If there are updates available, either select the updates you want to run
or click the Select All Updates button.
4. Click Apply.
5. Enter your password.
6. Wait for the update to finish.
7. Click OK to dismiss the window.
Configuration
>From within the Configuration section there are a minimal number of options to
>configure. The primary configuration to take care of here is adding new
>software sources. To add a new repository follow these steps:
1. Click on the Settings section.
2. Click the Edit Software Sources button.
3. Click on the Other Software tab.
4. Click on the Add button.
5. Enter the complete apt line for the source (not just the address).
6. Click OK to dismiss the address window.
7. Click Close to dismiss the Software Sources window.
If you manually edit your /etc/apt/sources.list (or your Yum repository file
depending upon your distribution) these changes will appear in KPackageKIT.
Final thoughts
Although not perfect, KPackageKIT is certainly a viable solution for Linux
software installation. If you need a simple KDE-based means of installing
software, and do not want to use the command line, this tool might be just what
you need.
