Linux Install General & Multi-Media Applications Script

Summary: The purpose of this page is to show the contents of a script that will install programs on a computer system that uses the apt-get package management system. This should apply to any Debian GNU/linux based system, including Ubuntu Linux. These are additional multi-media applications and some programs for tasks not included with a default Ubuntu Linux distribution. Some of the programs are referenced and compared on the Linux programs for common tasks page. The plain-text file is linked at the bottom of the page.


sudo apt-get install -y amarok bittorrent-gui dia easytag epiphany-browser epiphany-extensions exfalso flashplayer-nonfree gnucash gqview glchess gnucash gnucash-docs gqview grip gsfonts-x11 gwenview gxine inkscape k3b kbounce kdf konqueror kworldclock maelstrom mozilla-mplayer mozilla-thunderbird mplayer ogle-gui openclipart planner scribus streamtuner sysinfo tomboy tuxpaint vlc vorbis-tools xine-ui xmms xmms-skins



# amarok = KDE advanced audio player (like itunes), like rhythmbox (default).

# bittorrent-gui = Graphical front end to file uploading "scatter gather" tool.

# dia = Vector Illustration: Draw lines, shapes, etc.  Like inkscape.

# easytag = Edit mp3/ogg data (title, artist, song, etc.), like exfalso.

# epiphany-browser = Alternate lightweight web browser.

# exfalso = Edit mp3/ogg data  (title, artist, song, etc.), like easytag.

# flashplayer-nonfree = Adobe flash plug-in.

# gconf-editor = Gnome configuration. Use for old HW to "reduce resources" in metacity.

# glchess = Play chess against a computer.

# gnome-utils = gfloppy, gnome-dictionary, gnome-search-tool, gnome-system-log, gnome-screenshot...

# gnucash = Financial Accounting Software (like Quicken).

# gqview = View photos, slideshows, like Nautilus (default).

# gthumb = DEFAULT. Image / photo view and manipulation, unlike gqview and nautilus, imports photos.

# grip = Ripping mp3/ogg/wav from CDs, many options, like Sound Juicer (default) but more customizeable.

# gsfonts-X11 = Allows Ghost Script fonts to be used by X11 windowing system.

# gwenview = View photos, slideshows, like Nautilus (default), gqview.  KDE: Used with Konqueror.

# gxine = Multimedia player based on xine, like movie-player (default), VLC

# inkscape = Vector Illustration: Draw lines, shapes, etc. Like dia.

# j2re1.4-mozilla-plugin = Java plugin for Mozilla browsers.

# k3b = Advanced CD/DVD creation software (KDE).  More advanced than Serpentine Audio Creator (default).

# kasteroids = KDE asteroids clone, like maelstrom.

# kbounce = KDE bouncing balls game.

# kdf = KDE easy GUI to check disk space usage.

# konqueror = KDE combined File Manager like nautilus (default) and web browser like firefox (default).

# kworldclock = Visual window of light and dark areas of the world, dynamically updated.

# maelstrom = Asteroids clone, like kasteroids.

# mail-notification = Panel mail-monitoring application.

# miro = Internet television and video.

# mozilla-mplayer = Mozilla web browser plugin for playing online movie clips.

# mozilla-thunderbird = Streamlined email program, like evolution (default).  I'd use web mail...

# mplayer = Movie player, plays most mpeg, avi and asf files.  Plays DVD, VCD, and DivX.

# ogle-gui = DVD player, like gxine, kaffeine, movieplayer, mplayer, vlc.

# openclipart = Public Domain graphics.

# planner = project managment software (Gantt charts, etc), like taskjuggler.

# scribus = Desktop Publishing Program.

# streamtuner = Play streaming music.  Program collect stations from various sources.

# sysinfo = Displays computer and system information.

# taskjuggler = KDE project management software, like planner.

# tomboy = Desktop "sticky notes" program.

# tuxpaint = Basic drawing program, like gimp (default).

# verbiste = French verbs conjugated.

# vlc = Media player: audio like rhythmbox (default), amarok, gxine; video like totem (default).

# vorbis-tools = Programs other programs may need to edit audio/video.

# xine-ui = DVD and video player,  includes MPEG1/2, some AVI, MOV, and DVD and VCD.

# xmms = X multimedia system.  Audio player like rhythmbox (default), amarok.

# xmms-skins = Different looks for xmms.

Save this file: Install Common and Media Applications using apt-get to your computer.
READ ABOUT THE FILES. Make a list of the programs you don't need. The less software on your computer, the better for you.
Delete the program names you don't need from the very top list. Everything with a "#" sign is a comment and is ignored.
Change the file name from install-general-apps.txt to install-general-apps.sh
Make the file executable chmod u+x install-general-apps.sh
Execute the file from within a terminal (Apps..Accessories..Terminal) while connected to the internet ./install-general-apps.sh from the directory the file is in.
If you want to get more advanced, check out the Linux install developement programs script.

First Things First: A note on streaming music under Ubuntu Linux: Here is a some information you may find useful if you like to listen to streaming music on the internet. In over 5 years of use, I have never had the default music player, Rhythm Box, play the common "shoutcast play list", or .pls files succuessfully. Some people will immediately say something about mp3's and proprietary software, but I am talking about AFTER I have confirmed the program will play static mp3 files. The program tries to open and/or save the .pls file.

Install xmms: sudo apt-get install xmms xmms-skins.
Start up Firefox and go somafm.com.
Click on any play list after a "MP3:" listing.
Firefox will prompt and ask if you want to open the file with the default app. Don't do it.
Click on "Other" and browse to the file /usr/bin/xmms (/usr will be at the top level of "Filesystem") and then check the box "Do this every time".
To choose a different XMMS skin: Right-click on the xmms window, choose Options...Skin Browser.
Now the rest of your installations will be much groovier.