Updates
03/10/09: Added PPAs and extra sections.
01/29/09: Changed the address to every PPA.
11/10/08: Updated to Intrepid 8.10.
09/27/08: Added Alexander Sack's PPAs.
08/29/08: Added PPAs for Ubuntulite, WebKit, SMPlayer, Pidgin, mupen64plus, infobash, gnome-hdaps-applet, ipager, and netconfig.
08/21/08: Added PPAs for Galaxium, gwibber and Hamster.
08/19/08: Added loell's and my PPA.
08/13/08: Added PPAs for gnome-wallpaper and epiphany-webkit.
07/31/08: Added PPAs for Mozilla Team, Amarok 2, PlayOnLinux, aMule, Audacious, Ubuntu 8.10 theme, Claws-Mail and Terminator.
07/29/08: Added PPAs for Cairo Composite Manager, Deluge, Flash 10, Midori, Compiz Fusion, Cairo Dock, Gnome Do, Banshee, Google Gadgets, chmsee, and Screenlets
Introduction
As inspired by this post here, I have begun work on an index of the most useful PPAs out there. If you know of any, please let me know!
P.S: If you can't find the software you want through this index, I suggest using Launchpad's own PPA Search. It is constantly updated and includes every PPA. Enjoy!
What are PPAs?
As described by https://help.launchpad.net/PPAQuickStart:
With Launchpad's Personal Package Archives (PPA), you can build and publish binary Ubuntu packages for multiple architectures simply by uploading an Ubuntu source package to Launchpad.
In short, PPAs (short for Personal Package Archives) make it easier for developers and package maintainers to upload and share packages of their programs. They can provide software not found in Ubuntu's repositories, or they can provide updated packages of outdated software. PPAs, along with Launchpad, make it easier to provide safe and reliable package repositories for everyday use.
How do I use PPAs?
There are two ways of going about this:
Method 1
- In Ubuntu, go to System > Administration > Software Sources.
- Click on the Third Party Software tab, and click Add....
- Under APT line, copy and paste in the APT line as provided by the PPA. The APT line should look something similar to this:
Code:
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ppa/ubuntu/ hardy main
Once it is copied and pasted in, click Add Source. - Click Close. A pop-up will ask you to reload the package information. Click Reload.
- Now, you can go to System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager, and search for and install your software through there.
Method 2
- Open up a terminal through Applications > Accessories > Terminal, and enter in the following:
Code:
gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
- At the bottom of the file, on a new line, copy and paste in the APT line as provided by the PPA. The APT line should look something similar to this:
Code:
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ppa/ubuntu/ hardy main
Once it is copied and pasted in, save the file and exit. - Reload the package information by entering in the following:
Code:
sudo apt-get update
- Install your software either through System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager, or via this command:
Code:
sudo apt-get install name-of-program
Now you're good to go!
The List
Categories:
- PPAs of official projects
- Personal PPAs
- PPAs for Hardy (8.04)
1. PPAs of official projects
Ubuntu Tweak
Website: https://launchpad.net/~tualatrix/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Ubuntu Tweak, a program designed to tweak the hidden configuration settings of GNOME.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Avant Window Navigator
Website: https://launchpad.net/~awn-testing/+archive/ppa
Description: A testing PPA for the popular dock Avant Window Navigator.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/awn-testing/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Shutter
Website: https://launchpad.net/~shutter/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Shutter, an advanced screenshot taking program for GNOME.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/shutter/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Exaile
Website: https://launchpad.net/~exaile-devel/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Exaile, a full-featured music player for GNOME.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/exaile-devel/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
GNOME Do
Website: https://launchpad.net/~do-core/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for GNOME Do, an application that lets you do things as quickly as possible.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/do-core/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Banshee
Website: https://launchpad.net/~banshee-team/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the latest version of Banshee, a GNOME audio management and playback application.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/banshee-team/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Deluge
Website: https://launchpad.net/~deluge-team/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the latest stable version of Deluge, a GNOME BitTorrent client.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/deluge-team/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
WebKit
Website: https://launchpad.net/~webkit-team/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Webkit-related programs, such as Webkit and Midori.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Mozilla Team
Website: https://launchpad.net/~mozillateam/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for bleeding-edge packages of Firefox and other Mozilla programs.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/mozillateam/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
gwibber
Website: https://launchpad.net/~gwibber-team/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for gwibber, a micro-blogging client that supports Twitter, Jaiku, Identi.ca, Facebook, and Digg.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gwibber-team/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Amarok Project Neon
Website: https://launchpad.net/~project-neon/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the nightly builds of the upcoming Amarok 2.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/project-neon/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Terminator
Website: https://launchpad.net/~gnome-terminator/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Terminator, a program that lets you run multiple GNOME terminals in one window.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gnome-terminator/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Claws-Mail
Website: https://launchpad.net/~claws-mail/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Claws Mail, a lightweight GTK mail client.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/claws-mail/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
gnome-wallpaper
Website: https://launchpad.net/~doctormo/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for gnome-wallpaper, an auto-changing wallpaper program for GNOME.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/doctormo/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
OpenOffice 3
Website: https://launchpad.net/~openoffice-pkgs/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA to install the latest version of OpenOffice.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/openoffice-pkgs/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Globalmenu
Website: https://launchpad.net/~globalmenu-team/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for gnome-globalmenu, a Mac-like menu bar for your panel.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/globalmenu-team/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
2. Personal PPAs
Fabien Tassin's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~fta/+archive/ppa
Description: Includes Mozilla projects such as Firefox, Seamonkey and Thunderbird.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/fta/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
My PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~k-belding/+archive/ppa
Description: Includes the latest release of Openbox, as well as sakura and Nitrogen.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/k-belding/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Bruce Cowans' PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~bruce89/+archive/ppa
Description: Includes packages for programs such as Audacity, Empathy and Telepathy.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/bruce89/ppa/ubuntu intepid main
Reacocard's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~reacocard-awn/+archive/ppa
Description: Similar to Avant Window Navigator's PPA; includes personal packages of AWN.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/reacocard-awn/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Stéphane Marguet's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~stemp/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Midori, a Webkit-based lightweight web browser.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/stemp/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Michael Vogt's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~mvo/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the development version of Compiz Fusion.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/mvo/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Julien Lavergne's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~gilir/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Screenlets and Cairo Dock.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gilir/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
LI Daobing's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~lidaobing/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for chmsee, a CHM file viewer for GNOME.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/lidaobing/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Kenneth Wimer's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~kwwii/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the Ubuntu 8.10 theme.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kwwii/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Alexander Sack's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~asac/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for beta versions of Mozilla software, as well as miscellaneous networking programs.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/asac/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
network-manager
Website: https://launchpad.net/~network-manager/+archive/ppa
Description: Alex also has one for network-manager 0.7.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/network-manager/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
festor90's PPA
Website: http://ppa.launchpad.net/festor90/ppa/ubuntu
Description: A PPA for the latest release of aMule, a GTK P2P client.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/festor90/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
Michele Costantino Soccio's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~michelinux/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the Webkit version of the Epiphany web browser.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/michelinux/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
loell's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~loell/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the newest versions of Cheese, nted and consanance.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/loell/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
TheMono's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~themono/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the SVN releases of SMPlayer.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/themono/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main
3. PPAs for Hardy (8.04)
LXDE
Website: https://launchpad.net/~lxde/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the LXDE, a lightweight stable desktop environment.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/lxde/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Ubuntulite
Website: https://launchpad.net/~ubuntulite/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Ubuntulite, a lightweight Ubuntu-based distribution that uses the LXDE desktop environment.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ppa/ubuntulite/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Telepathy
Website: https://launchpad.net/~telepathy/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Telepathy, Empathy and Farsight, a set of frameworks for instant messaging clients.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/telepathy/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Galaxium
Website: https://launchpad.net/~galaxium/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Galaxium, a multi-protocol instant messager for GNOME.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/galaxium/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Google Gadgets
Website: https://launchpad.net/~googlegadgets/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the Google Gadgets, a platform for running Google Gadgets on Linux.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/googlegadgets/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
KDE 4
Website: http://www.kubuntu.org/news/kde-4.1rc1
Description: A PPA to get KDE4 installed on Kubuntu Hardy.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/kubuntu-members-kde4/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Hamster
Website: https://launchpad.net/~hamster.support/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Hamster, an activity tracking app for GNOME.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/hamster.support/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Cairo Composite Manager
Website: https://launchpad.net/~gandalfn/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for Cairo Composite Manager.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gandalfn/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Pidgin
Website: https://launchpad.net/~pidgin-developers/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the latest releases of Pidgin.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/pidgin-developers/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Markus Thielmann's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~thielmann/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for the Flash Player 10 beta plugin.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/thielmann/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Daniel Moerner's PPA
Website: https://launchpad.net/~dmoerner/+archive/ppa
Description: A PPA for mupen64plus, infobash, gnome-hdaps-applet, ipager, and netconfig.
APT line:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/dmoerner/ppa/ubuntu hardy main
Troubleshooting
- When I update my software sources, I get an error message saying "W: GPG error: http://ppa.launchpad.net intrepid Release: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available". How can I fix this?
You're getting this message because your system can't find the public key of the PPA. A public way is a way of authenticating your PPA and ensuring that it is safe to use. The easiest way to fix this is by this script, which will automatically find and install the public keys to your PPA. You can also do it manually, as per this guide.
Resources
Ubuntu Tweak provides an easy way to enable many of the PPAs listed in this article and more. You can download it at http://ubuntu-tweak.com/downloads .
Use this link to search for PPAs:
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+ppas
You can also try this tool here:
http://ppa-search.appspot.com/
This site is in Italian, but it provides you with a /etc/apt/sources.list full of many PPAs.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PPAS IN THEIR SOURCES.LIST MAY CONFLICT BETWEEN EACH OTHER AND POTENTIALLY BREAK YOUR PACKAGES!
http://www.sourceslist.netsons.org/
If you know of any useful PPAs, please let me know. Thanks!
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