Need help installing local deb file

I downloaded a commercial demo app as a deb file (i'm so glad they support linux!). I saved the file into a directory on my harddrive. OK. Now i want to create a local apt source so that i can install the debs i download properly. Here is what i've done:

$ cd /home/leiavoia/incoming/debs (my repository directory)
$ dpkg-scanpackages ./ /dev/null | gzip - > ./Packages.gz
$ echo "deb file:/home/leiavoia/incoming/debs ./" >> /etc/apt/sources.list

So Packages.gz is now configured and my directory is in the apt sources list. Then i do

$ apt-get update

and it does it's thing. However when i try installing or even looking for the new package with apt-cache search, it cannot find it! Am i doing something wrong? How can i know if apt is picking up my local repository or not?

Thanks for your help. I'm sure it's not a big deal, but i'm missing something.

Can't you just install it with dpkg -i (path)

yes :-)

I did that, but i'm only asking for future reference.

Try this:

cd /home/leiavoia/incoming/debs
mkdir binary
mv *.deb binary
dpkg-scanpackages binary /dev/null | gzip -9c > binary/Packages.gz

Then as root:

nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Add the line:

deb file:/home/leiavoia/incoming/debs/binary/ ./

Then as root:

apt-get update

You can create a source directory later if you want as well. The above has worked for me in creating a simple repository for some gui configuration packages from Morphix.

Would this work with a samba file share?


i.e.


deb smb://file/share/system/package/deb/binary/ ./


Just wondering...I haven't heard of anyone doing this so I wondered if it was possible.

Originally posted by TKS Would this work with a samba file share? i.e. deb smb://file/share/system/package/deb/binary/ ./

NO unless your mounting it