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Thread: New to Ubuntu (two questions: Update and Program Install)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Beans
    2

    Cool New to Ubuntu (two questions: Update and Program Install)

    Howdy,

    I just decided to play around with Ubuntu, and I really like it. So far, there are only two things I cannot figure out:

    1. When I installed Ubuntu, I made a partition for it, but I didn't have any choice about the size. Am I crazy? Did I miss it? I am asking because I need to update everything and have some space to install a few programs, but it says that I don't have enough space to do that. Of course my hard drive is plenty big enough with over 70GB of free space, so I am wondering what to do about that. Any help? Thanks so much!!!

    2. How do I install programs? I read the help page on the Ubuntu website, but I still didn't get what I wanted. I want to download and install the VLC Media Player, and I tried to do what it said, but maybe cause I am switching from Windows, I am totally confused. Is there any simple step-by-step guide for that?

    Anyways, I am having fun with the OS and I am eager to continue using it. Thanks for the help and for the software!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Amsterdam
    Beans
    1,731
    Distro
    Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

    Re: New to Ubuntu (two questions: Update and Program Install)

    Diskspace and updates:

    You can have a look at how much space you are using by executing the following commands in a terminal:

    Code:
    df -kh
    With fdisk -l you can look at how your disk is partitioned, but you need admin rights to view this. Execute in in a terminal:

    Code:
    sudo fdisk -l
    With gparted you can change your partitions, but this cannot be done on a running system (because the partitions are mounted. Grab the livecd of gparted, boot from it and enlarge your partitions:
    http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php

    Installing software:
    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallingSoftware
    http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware

    In short regarding software installations:

    aptitude will become your best friend for maintaining packages (installing/removing/searching).

    do-release-upgrade will become your friend when you want to upgrade Ubuntu to a newer release.
    Upgrade Ubuntu | Upgrade unsupported Ubuntu versions | Always backup | Howto upgrade flash
    Minimal CD install | Remove old kernels | My blog | Linux user #462801 | Conscience doth make cowards of us all. -- Shakespeare

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Beans
    Hidden!

    Re: New to Ubuntu (two questions: Update and Program Install)

    As slakkie hinted, open a terminal (applications > accessories) and type

    Code:
    df -h
    * you will be prompted for your password which you cannot view when you type-in

    df-h will show you allocations and used amounts. What you are looking for is root (/) which is where your ubuntu system files reside. Chances are, you have the 2.5GB install which can happen if/when you opt to install Side-by-side and forget to use the slider to allocate sizes for windows and Ubuntu.

    If my hunch is true, you have 2 options:

    1. You can resize root (/) .... enlarging it (hence taking space from somewhere)

    2. Re-do the install (which means deleting the existing installations and starting anew)

    Your choice. Again, I may be wrong with my hunch. If so, post back the output of above df-h and,

    Code:
    sudo fdisk -l
    small L, not 1, nor I.

    Either way, some things to start doing/reading whilst cleaning this up:

    1. Back up your files. Whenever we work on the HD, the risk increases.
    2. Some reading for reference

    http://gparted.sourceforge.net/larry...e/resizing.htm
    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GraphicalInstall
    http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.p...7&d=1248267874

    last link is the side-by-side slider.
    "The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it" .... A. Glasow

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