how to enable apt-get?
 

i just installed dsl 1.2 on my laptop, but i'm wondering how to install apps. i read that you need to enable apt-get, how would i go about doing that? what should my sources.list look like? i'm used to debian sid, so dsl is kinda confusing to me.

thanks

To enable apt you can use the menu in dsl. In the menu use Apps->Tools-> then if you want to use Synaptic choose Synaptic otherwise choose Enable Apt. After doing this edit sources.list to get the "Testing" sources, do this in your terminal:

cd /etc/apt/
vi sources.list
remove the # on the testing line
and make a # on the stable

then
apt-get update
apt-get install "name of the program"

Since Sarge has become stable there has supposedly has been some trouble. If you have trouble than you can use the older Woody release packages.
In your /etc/apt/sources.list, change where it says "stable" to "oldstable" and then run apt-get update.

Hope this helps.

that worked perfectly, thanks. i just had to remove all of the non-us sources.

thanks for the help.

Glad to hear it.

adssse:

I have a few questions.

Here is my sources.list file -

#deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ testing main
deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ oldstable main non-free contrib
#deb http://non-us.debian.org/debian-non-US/ testing/non-US main contrib non-free
#deb-src http://non-us.debian.org/debian-non-US/ testing/non-US main contrib non-free
#deb http://www.modularity.org/knoppix ./

-- end of file --

-> remove the # on the testing line

I assume the first line is 'the testing line' in your comment.

-> and make a # on the stable

I don't know what that means! My file apparently has only one valid entry!

This brings me to my real question - What is it with the 'sources.list' file? I also run Mepis and Mepis is very specific about what you can edit and what you are to leave alone! The above listed 'sources.list' file bears little resemblence to the one I have in Mepis. I would like see an explanation of the commands and their options. Can anyone direct me to a good site which explains the 'sources.list' file.

Thanks.

James Oliver

I am sorry I wasnt very clear. I just meant to remove the '#' sign infront of the testing line. This uncomments it so it will be used. Then place a '#' sign infront of the stable line. This will comment it out so it will no longer be used. Then save it.

As for a good site to explain the sources.list file, I am not completely sure. Apt is debian based so here is a website that talks about it slightly, but you can probably search for more info.
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/ap...basico.en.html

adssse:

Thanks. The site is just what I needed!

James Oliver

No problem, glad I could help.