Linux Install General & Multi-Media Applications Script

Update 2008-05: I have altered the scripts to be current with Ubuntu 8.04. I have tried to separate out packages that require a prompt when installing, so there is a completely automatic script and one that needs to be checked as it is running. The packages that require prompts have been put in a separate file listed at the bottom of the page, called "Install Prompt Apps". Feel free to let me know if it works.

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 flashplugin-nonfree gnucash gnucash-docs gqview grip faad gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse liblame0 gwenview gxine inkscape k3b kbounce kdf konqueror kworldclock libflashsupport maelstrom miro mozilla-mplayer mozilla-thunderbird mplayer ogle-gui openclipart planner scribus streamtuner sysinfo vlc vorbis-tools xine-ui # 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. # faad = Proprietary multimedia support. # flashplugin-nonfree = Adobe flash plug-in. # gconf-editor = DEFAULT. Gnome config. Useful for old HW to "reduce resources" in metacity. # gnome-utils = DEFAULT. baobab (disk), gfloppy, gnome-dictionary, gnome-search-tool, etc. # 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. # 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. # 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. # libflashsupport = Goes with flashplugin-nonfree # liblame0 = "LAME Ain't an MP3 Encoder". Compressed audio support. # 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. # openclipart = Public Domain graphics. Very large file size. # 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 = Ubuntu 8.04 default install. Desktop "sticky notes" program. # ubuntu-restricted-extras = License prompts. Included in "prompt-apps" script. # 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 = Not available Ubuntu as of 8.04. X multimedia system. Audio player like rhythmbox (default), amarok. # xmms-skins = Different looks for xmms. Not available Ubuntu as of 8.04.

Save these files: Install Common and Media Applications using apt-get, and Install Prompt Apps 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.

Update: As of Ubuntu 8.04, the Shoutcast streaming mp3 ".pls" files play using the default "Totem Movie Player". Maybe they will make it make more sense and change the name to "Totem Media Player". First Things First: A note on streaming music under Ubuntu Linux Pre 8.04: 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. One solution:

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.