Adding Software Sources to Ubuntu

We will be using the Pidgin Developers PPA in this example. First visit the PPA page and click the link "Technical details about this PPA". You will be presented with the two apt lines you will need to add to software sources in Ubuntu.

Using Software Sources

Open software sources (System >Administration >Software Sources). Choose the "Other Software" tab. Click Add. Paste in the apt line. Most projects will include two separate items they wish for you to add to your list of repositories. The first will start with deb, which will be what most users need as it gets the packaged version of what you are adding. The second line will start with deb-src, which will get the source code for the item, which is useful for developers. If you are not a developer, you will probably be fine with just the first line.

You will want to paste each line separately, pasting the line in the text box and clicking "Add Source". You will notice in the software sources window each paste line appears as it is setup in the GUI. Repeat if necessary or desired.

Once all apt lines are pasted and added, click Close. You will receive a message stating "The information about available software is out-of-date". Click Reload. This will perform an "apt-get update" command for you and reload all of the available repositories. This is necessary as only by updating the repositories will you will be able to install any new software or updates that are available.

Checking For Updates

Once the apt-get update is complete, the Software Sources window will close. You can check for updates by opening the update manager (System >Administration >Update Manager). If nothing shows, click the Check button and allow the update manager to recheck. If nothing appears this time, you might already have the latest version of whatever software you were trying to add to your system.