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My favourite (and popular) PPAs
Since Launchpad.net has yet to include statistics for reporting popular PPAs, I figure I should post some of my favourite.
These PPAs (Personal Package Archives) are repositories that allow developers to publish and test beta software or new releases of software not yet available in Ubuntu. Installing these repositories allow users to stay up-to-date with certain programs, but come with the risk of lower security and possible errors ranging from the program not running (happens rarely to me) to the computer not running at all (has never happened to me personally).
The commands I'm listing below require Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) or Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx). If you are uncomfortable running commands in the terminal, you may enter these PPAs via "System > Administration > Software Sources >> Other Software >> Add", inserting the end of the command (e.g. 'ppa:banshee-team/ppa' for Banshee Media Player).
Banshee Media Player
Banshee Media Player (image courtesy banshee-project.com)
A feature-full media player, competing with Ubuntu's default Rhythmbox music player. Banshee has a clean interface and great iPod/MP3 player support, including many add-ons and features not available in Rythmbox. This PPA allows for feature releases since Ubuntu only provides security updates.
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:banshee-team/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install banshee
Chromium Web Browser
The open source project for the Google Chrome web browser, available in stable, beta and daily builds (decreasing in stability). Since Google Chrome and Chromium have not been officially released for Ubuntu, this is a great opportunity to run the web browser until then!
Chromium Web Browser
(Only add one PPA from below!)
Stable
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chromium-daily/dev
Beta
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chromium-daily/beta
Daily
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chromium-daily/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install chromium-browser
Docky
A Mac dock-like application that can also double as a panel, replacing the default GNOME panel with added functionality.
Docky (image courtesy do.davebsd.com)
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:docky-core/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install docky
Getting Things GNOME! (GTG)
An recently (and actively) developed activity organizer integrating with popular programs such as the Tomboy note-taking application.
Getting Things GNOME! (image courtesy gtg.fritalk.com)
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gtg/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install gtg
GNOME Activity Journal (formerly Zeitgeist)
Keeps a chronological journal of all file activity which allows a user to access recently-accessed files more easily. This program is set to be included in GNOME 3.0.
GNOME Activity Journal
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:zeitgeist/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install gnome-activity-journal
GNOME Do
A unique program that allows the execution of programs, files, bookmarks and so forth through the stroke of a keyboard. This program is installed by default in one of Ubuntu's non-official descendants, Linux Mint.
GNOME Do (image courtesy do.davebsd.com)
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:do-core/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install gnome-do
Pidgin Instant Messenger
An amazing multi-protocol instant messenging client that allows users to connect to multiple IMing accounts, such as AOL, GoogleTalk, Facebook, MSN/WLM, Jabber, ICQ, Yahoo! and so forth.
Pidgin Instant Messenger (image courtesy pidgin.im)
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pidgin-developers/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install pidgin
PiTiVi Video Editor
GStreamer-based, GNOME video editor soon to be included in Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) by default.
PiTiVi Video Editor (image courtesy www.pitivi.org)
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gstreamer-developers/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install pitivi
Wine
Allows you to run many Windows applications on Ubuntu.
Wine running World of Warcraft (image courtesy appdb.winehq.org)
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-wine/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install wine1.2
XBMC Media Centre
Integrated and standalone media player for your computer or entertainment centre.
XBMC Media Centre (image courtesy xbmc.org)
Add PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa
Update and install program:
sudo aptitude update ; sudo aptitude install xbmc
