10

There is a good amount of Ubuntu software that is not currently in the Software Center, but that users still want to install. When this happens, we usually tell them to do something like:

tar xf third_part_app.tar.gz
cd third_party_app/
sudo apt-get install dependencies
chmod u+x installer && ./installer

Setting the executable bit and dependency resolution are very roundabout to achieve graphically, so we can either send them to the command line or give them a very lengthy sequence of GUI instructions. And by the way, dependency resolution sometimes requires a lot of back and forth. Which kind of sucks.

Recently several third-party services (eg Desura, Gameolith) have stepped into this niche and offered easy methods of installation for non-USC software. Under what circumstances, if any, is it okay to recommend users install from these services? If these services got into the USC, would they become more recommendable? If they were open source?

Example cases: Dwarf Fortress, New Games of 2011

2

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Here's my thoughts on this:

Pretty much, just treat it the same as this meta post (What is the policy concerning external deb packages?), and as this one (Is there any guarantee that software from launchpad PPAs is free from viruses and backdoor threats?).

In summary, here are my thoughts on this:

  • Warnings. Something like this might be wise:

    Warning: This involves install software from a non-Ubuntu repository. Please, be careful. For more information, check out this post, as well as this post. Thanks.

  • As someone writing an answer, try not to use a external app store if possible, but at the same time, don't be afraid to do it if there is no other way.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .