Installing software from a PPA

[gpaper]

I use a fitbit; a souped up pedometer that syncs an online profile through a base station. Unfortunately the base station needs to be plugged into a computer that is running a software programmer that was written for Windows or Mac. I found out that someone wrote a linux version of this software.

That's great! If only I knew how to install it.

I run the latest version of Ubuntu but the only way I know how to install software is through the built in Ubuntu Software Center or when companies make really easy links (like Google for installing Chrome).

Would someone be able to get me started? Apparently its also available as a PPA if that makes it easier.

[zeroseven0183]

Hi gpaper, you can add the libfitbit PPA to your Ubuntu using this command through a Terminal

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cwayne18/fitbit

then run

sudo apt-get update

to refresh. Then proceed installing libfitbit by

sudo apt-get install libfitbit

[jerrrys]

The fitbit PPA is only available for Precise 12o4.

[gpaper]

jerrrys: I just confirmed that this is the version I am running.

zeroseven0183: Thanks, but when I opened up terminal and typed in the first command I get:

sudo: add-apt: command not found

[jerrrys]

That should be:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cwayne18/fitbit

Also if you notice in the PPA (in blue) "read about installing"

https://launchpad.net/~cwayne18/+archive/fitbit

The rest should work fine

[zeroseven0183]

Wooppps. Missed the hyphen between apt and repository.

Thanks jerrrys for the quick correction.

[bogan]

Should not that be:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:xxxxx

??

Chao!, bogan.

[Cheesemill]

Should not that be:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:xxxxx

??

Chao!, bogan.

It doesn't matter which you use.
The program used to be called apt-add-repository but has been changed to add-apt-repository in 12.10 and newer. However, there is a symlink in place so that you can still use either.

rob@raring:~$ ls -lh /usr/bin/*repository 
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 7.9K Oct 29 14:00 /usr/bin/add-apt-repository
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root   18 Oct 29 14:00 /usr/bin/apt-add-repository -> add-apt-repository

[rmockler]

I have successfully added the ppa and installed the library libfitbit, but now how do I get the program active to cause it to sync my fitbit device with wi-fi to fitbit.com?

[mike_southey]

I have successfully added the ppa and installed the library libfitbit, but now how do I get the program active to cause it to sync my fitbit device with wi-fi to fitbit.com?

I think I am at this point too, now what? reboot?