Where does Ubuntu Software Center install .deb files?
 

Hi

First I would like to address this: I am completely new to Linux

Okay so I have now run into my first problem I cant seem to find a solution to.

I have downloaded a .deb file and discovered that you can run them through Ubuntu Software Center to avoid using the terminal. It seems to me that you can even do this if the program is not a part of the Software Center listed programs.

So this is what I did and it now says that my program has been installed.

But the problem is, where can I access it?

If you are using the Gnome or KDE desktop, it is likely already on the menu. Where will depend on what category it falls into.

If it's not there and if it is in your path, you can open a terminal and type the program name to test whether it runs. If the program is "fred," typing "fred[enter]" on the command line should start the program. If it runs, you can use the menu editor to add it where you want it.

To find out where the executable is, you can use sudo whereis or sudo locate (locate can return an overwhelming amount of information). For example, if the program is called "fred," then "sudo whereis fred" should reveal its location. Open a terminal and type man locate or man whereis for more info.

The Linux file structure is nothing at all like Windows.

Executables are normally placed in /usr/bin, sometimes in /usr/local/bin. Libraries (similar to *.dlls) are usually in /usr/lib/something or other. Icons are likely in /usr/share/something or other.

There's a detailed introduction to the Linux directory structure here; it's different, but, once you get the hang of it, it's a lot simpler:

http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/linuxdir.html

I think you like to use GUI, guessing it from the fact that you used Software centre to install it (running Ubuntu).

So I'd suggest a GUI way, the above answer by "frankbell" works very fine and is recommended to do things command line but you can follow these steps (noobish way)::

go to System > Synaptic Package Manager
search for the package you installed > right click select Properties > Installed files


This tab shows all the installed files...the executables are in /bin or /usr/bin, go to that location and execute them.

I downloaded the MoneyDance tarball. I used Alien to convert it to deb. I used Ubuntu Software Center to install it. Now I can't find it! I've looked through the forums and followed what advice I could find but still can't locate or run MoneyDance. Ubuntu Software Center says it is installed...but WHERE??? Anybody want to tackle this one in SIMPLE SIMPLE English?

saiprem

According to the moneydane website it just installs it as an executible binary within the folder you created, is there a reason you went with this product and not a free product like GNUcash which would be better integrated?

Yes. I tied a lot of free bookkeeping programs. I wanted something similar to Quicken because I've been using that for many years. Moneydance was the closest I found.

saiprem

By the way, I finally got it. The program was in a folder right in front of my eyes! For others who have the same problem and who have converted the Mondydance tarball to .deb and have it on their desktop:

Right click on the deb package and click on "Install using Ubuntu Software Center".

When the Ubuntu Software Center comes up click on "Install".

This will install a Moneydance folder on to the desktop.

Open the folder and there is a 10.0 Kb shell script called "Moneydance". That's it!

Move that to the panel and click on it and it should open the program.

You're looking for the .deb files huh... Look at this folder

/var/cache/apt/archives

You will find .deb application you installed from the repositories. :)