[other] "Software Channels"

[mewgirl]

I don't use Ubuntu, but you guys seem to universally know what a software channel is, but do not actually tell any of the people who asked this question before me that I have seen. Instead, you just tell them to "do the following things" in order to make such-and-such a thing work and/or go away. So, can somebody please explain to me what a software channel is? The only possibility I can postulate from the non-explanation "explanations" that are rampantly posted at various websites (I am not talking about this particular website nor including it in that statement) is that it is like iTunes or Download Manager?

[sisco311]

Hi and welcome to the forums!

Ubuntu stores all of its packages in locations called software channels or repositories. A software channel is simply a location which holds packages of similar types, which can be downloaded and installed using a package manager. A package manager will store an index of all of the packages available from a software channel.

http://psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallingSoftware

[mewgirl]

If a channel is nothing more then a folder on your computer, then Windows wouldn't need a settings option about whether or not it can download things... which already exist on your computer! I think something is wrong with either my question or your explanation... but thanks for posting

[Edit] So in other words, Yes it is like iTunes, but uBuntu users are required to use such things in order to install sotware and that is why no one answered the question when uBuntu users posted it? (LIke I said before people responded but did not say what a channel was, in the previous topics I found.)

[mörgæs]

As often, Ubuntu offers you a lot more choices than Windoze. For example, there are channels for new (and maybe not completely error-free) packages. If you like to try this, select this channel, and if you prefer only the older, but more thoroughly tested packages, you can skip it.

You can also select channels based on your opinion on proprietary software. Do you want a pure open-source installation or will you allow proprietary software?

Because software packages are distributed in channels, you can once and for all select what you want and don't want.

[ayenack]

@mewgirl

Originally Posted by sisco311 Hi and welcome to the forums! Ubuntu stores all of its packages in locations called software channels or repositories. A software channel is simply a location which holds packages of similar types, which can be downloaded and installed using a package manager. A package manager will store an index of all of the packages available from a software channel.]

This statement is correct. And we're not talking about MS Windows (although Windows update works in a similar way). The Repositories do not reside on your computer they reside on a remote server and are downloaded from that server to your computer.

You do not have to use the "Software Channels" to install programs, programs can be installed from packages or source files downloaded from web sites.

[ikt]

Originally Posted by mewgirl So in other words, Yes it is like iTunes, but uBuntu users are required to use such things in order to install sotware and that is why no one answered the question when uBuntu users posted it?

I think so.

I don't use itunes so I'm not sure where to draw the comparison to.

If you're able to download ubuntu and burn it onto a cd, you can use it in "live cd" mode where it doesn't touch your pc at all, once you use the software store/synaptic package manager it's very obvious how it all works.

[mewgirl]

I don't use iTunes at all. But I know that it gives you a list of songs, you choose one, hit download, it is then downloaded, and it requires an external (non-website) software to do so.

But, neither iTunes nor the Ubuntu software install program (it would seem) would be downloading things automatically to your computer. The descriptions I have come across on other websites say that the channel settings only apply to automatic downloads.

[sisco311]

Yes, that's correct, by default Ubuntu will not download anything automatically.

It will automatically notify you when security updates and software upgrades are available.

However you can change the Update Manager's settings to: Install security updates without confirmation(this applies ONLY for security updates) or Download all updates in the background (you will still have to confirm the installation of the updates).