So I start with the default sources.list and am unable to get much of what I need package-wise via apt-get. Next, I uncommented all entrees in sources.list. More is available now but some things still are not, like realplayer and others. Can someone share their sources.list with me or send me to a good tutorial (the few I've been to seem a bit convoluted). How do you know which repositories to include and which not to bother with?

Thanks,

cj

Well, it all depends on what specifically you're looking for. In Debian, the "official" repositories have groups main, non-free, and contrib (and maybe non-US, I forget). Anything outside of that is not supported by the distribution (i.e. Joe Blow has setup a repository of things he compiled into packages which you can use at your own risk). Occasionally to make your life easier you might use one of these (like debian-multimedia.org for mplayer and codecs, etc), but you might get into some conflicts later on if the official repositories include things.

I think Ubuntu has a few "Official" but unsupported repositories like multiverse and universe.

Anyway, the best way to find unofficial repositories is to google for "program Debian repository" (or Ubuntu,FC6,Suse,etc) and see what comes up.

I'd recommend that you always look first in the Ubuntu supported, universe and multiverse repositories. Other repositories may work or they may not. A Debian deb and an Ubuntu deb for the same package may be different. The most stable system comes from using Ubuntu repositories. Just because everything can work together doesn't mean it will. Something that seems to work may bite you later, perhaps at the next upgrade. I of necessity have some self compiled drivers. The choice and freedom are yours.

Thanks for the help guys.

-cj