Since Ubuntu Maverick 10.10, .deb packages are opened by default with the Software Center, which is still a bit buggy and slow and needs some polish.
Software Center often returns an error like:
Sometimes, the packages are really of bad quality, but most of the time, it is just a false error. There is not much we can do to check the quality of those packages, but if you trust the source, you can try these alternatives for package installation.
Installation from Terminal using 'dpkg'
For using 'dpkg' from a Terminal, given you downloaded the concerning .deb package into your 'Downloads' folder and it is named 'ubuntu.deb', this is how you would install it:
Installation using GDebi
You can still install GDebi and use it for the installation of .deb packages as it was used to be in previous Ubuntu versions.
For that, first install GDebi:
Now, right-click your downloaded package file > choose 'Properties' > and under 'Open With' > choose GDebi. Close this window and double-click your package. It should now open in GDebi and you can install it from there.
Software Center often returns an error like:
"The package is of bad quality
The installation of a package which violates the quality standards isn't allowed. This could cause serious problems on your computer. Please contact the person or organisation who provided this package file and include the details beneath."
The installation of a package which violates the quality standards isn't allowed. This could cause serious problems on your computer. Please contact the person or organisation who provided this package file and include the details beneath."
Sometimes, the packages are really of bad quality, but most of the time, it is just a false error. There is not much we can do to check the quality of those packages, but if you trust the source, you can try these alternatives for package installation.
For using 'dpkg' from a Terminal, given you downloaded the concerning .deb package into your 'Downloads' folder and it is named 'ubuntu.deb', this is how you would install it:
cd ~/Downloads
sudo dpkg -i ubuntu.deb
sudo apt-get install -f
sudo dpkg -i ubuntu.deb
sudo apt-get install -f
You can still install GDebi and use it for the installation of .deb packages as it was used to be in previous Ubuntu versions.
For that, first install GDebi:
sudo apt-get install gdebi
Now, right-click your downloaded package file > choose 'Properties' > and under 'Open With' > choose GDebi. Close this window and double-click your package. It should now open in GDebi and you can install it from there.
