422 CHAPTER 29 INSTALLING SOFTWARE One use (Crystaltech web hosting)
422 CHAPTER 29 INSTALLING SOFTWARE One use of filtering is to remove the check alongside Installed so that you can remove from the search list any packages that might be already on your system. By clicking the Section tab, you can opt to search for only certain types of programs, such as those that are categorized as graphics programs or those that are categorized as communications packages (hold down the Ctrl key to search more than one package at once). Note Filtering can help reduce the number of search results if you use a generic search term, but don t forget to deactivate it when you ve finished. Click All at the top of the filters list, or simply click the Search button at the bottom left, to deactivate the filters. Installing Software When you click the check box next to a piece of software in the search results and select Mark for Installation, you ll be informed of any uninstalled dependencies that the program needs and asked to confirm their addition to the list of packages to be installed. If you right-click the file and selecting Mark Suggested for Installation or Mark Recommended for Installation, you ll see a list of programs that, although not essential to the running of the program in question, will enhance its features to some degree. For example, if you choose to install the mutt e-mail program, it s also recommended that you install locales and mime-support, so Mutt will have multiple language support and will be able to better handle file attachments. You don t have to install these recommended programs; the software will run fine without them. But it can often be rewarding if you do so. Note If the software in the recommended and suggested lists is grayed out, that means it s already installed. This happens frequently because recommended or suggested software is often required by other packages. After you ve made your selection of software (bear in mind that you can install more than one piece of software at once), click the Apply button on the toolbar. You ll see the Summary dialog box, as shown in Figure 29-4. Here, you re once again asked to confirm what needs to be installed. If any software needs to be removed in order to meet dependency issues, you ll be told about this, too. Additionally, you ll be shown the total size of the files that will be downloaded, as well as the anticipated impact on your hard disk in terms of size after the programs are installed. At the very bottom of the Summary dialog box, you ll see a check box marked Download Package Files Only. As it suggests, this will download but not install the packages. If you then select the package for installation again in the future, you won t need to download it, and installation will be instantaneous (unless a newer version of the package has been released; in which case, the newer version will be downloaded and installed).