old distro new software

[pyrforos]

Hi im using a netbook with ubuntu 11.10 but its main purpose is to read pdfs , write in libre office, surf the web(simple things) and sometimes IM messaging.
I dont have the time for an updrade but i ***must*** use the last version of lets say pidgin or any other im messenger (after the new updates of live messenger its impossible to login with an old version).
With

sudo apt-get install pidgin
it can't be done because o have the old repositories. Do you have any ideas?

[oldos2er]

Look for a PPA for the updated software you need, or compile it from source.

[ugm6hr]

2.10.6 appears to be in the official Pidgin PPA for 11.10:
http://www.pidgin.im/download/ubuntu/
https://launchpad.net/~pidgin-developers/+archive/ppa/

Else, Pidgin 2.10.3 is available on getdeb for 11.10:
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Pidgin

Not the very latest, but hopefully good enough for you.

Though, I would suggest considering an upgrade / fresh install to 12.04 in the coming months (be aware that 12.04 with Unity may be slow on an old Netbook - it was on mine - so consider other desktop environments)

[Sunon]

Straight from the pidgin site:




Ubuntu ships Pidgin but does not update it after a release (except for security issues and high-severity bugs). For those users who desire new releases of Pidgin, we have packaged Pidgin in a PPA. If you encounter problems with these packages, try building from source and report the bug.

To setup the PPA, follow these steps:
1. Click to download the Pidgin PPA package.
2. Select Open with: and GDebi Package Installer. Click OK.
3. Click Install Package.
4. Click Close. Then close GDebi.

After doing this, check for and apply updates:
1. Click System, point to Administration, and click Update Manager.
2. Click Check.
3. Click Install Updates.

Future Pidgin updates will show up in Update Manager along with the usual Ubuntu updates.

This PPA often lags behind the source releases a couple of days, so please be patient.

This PPA supports Ubuntu Lucid (10.04) and newer.

[pyrforos]

thanks guys! I will try it asap!