Repositories in Ubuntu

The concept of repository and updating system files and application files automatically is welcome to an user like me. In window updates, only the system files are updated and not loaded applications. It is hard to keep a track of all applications and update them manually. Some applications have their own auto-update functions, but they are few in numbers. So, I like the concept of auto updating from repositories that keep a track of loaded application updates. Another convenience is that the updates do not require all the files of the applications to be downloaded. Only revised files are downloaded and replaced. The third convenience is the installation part. It is done automatically, without a need to refer to installation instructions of each application. Repository concept is originally from Linux and it is well integrated in Ubuntu.

Ubuntu has its own repository for system files, KDE applications and some basic applications like OpenOffice. One can add other repositories, which are unsupported by Ubuntu. There would always be warning of possible malicious software, when we add third party applications from other repositories. The user has to ascertain the genuineness of a repository before adding. I am attaching a picture showing third party software repositories that were added in my PC. I have not added all applications from these repositories. Some applications have similar functionalities. I do not want to consume memory without adding value. I add applications as and when needed.

These repositories check software updates in the background and inform the availability of updates. All we need to do is click the update (apply changes) button. Downloading of the update files and installation of them are done automatically. It is a huge task saver.

There are a lot of repositories that are not written in English. It would be difficult to add these repositories without knowing the details. One of my repositories, in fact, is in French. I use translate menu of Google Toolbar in FireFox to translate in English and read the details. This is again a big help.

I am also on the look out for new repositories that have new applications, but are not in my current repositories. Open Source has really taken off to challenge proprietary software.