What is apt:foo?
Honestly, apt:foo is nothing more than an implementation of a small open-source program called apturl. By activating (clicking) an "apt:....." link in a web page, you send input to your Debian package manager telling it to find, download and install a particular program (the "foo" bit). Apt:foo does nothing that can't be done with routine "apt" commands via the terminal on your own computer or via Synaptic Package Manager (or through a program called Add/Remove that comes with some distros).
Our apt:foo page is:
- a demonstration of just how easy it can be to install software on a Linux system.
- an easy way for people new to Linux to get up and running with software they need.
- one way that the developers of OzOS (a CafeLinux sponsored distribution) keep the installation very "lean and mean". If you have installed a version of OzOS, you can use apt:foo to quickly and easily supplement the default applications with a wide range of your favourite software.
While apt:foo is designed to be a quick and easy way to get new software, it is not meant to be a complete replacement for your built-in package management software. If you are new to Linux, you should try to become familiar with the Synaptic Package Manager that comes with all desktop Debian-based distros. In OzOS, Synaptic appears on your Favorite Applications menu (Left mouse button click on the desktop). See this tutorial if you aren't yet comfortable with using Synaptic.
If you have suggestions about how we can improve apt:foo, please drop in to the CafeLinux Forums and share your ideas.
What is OzOS?
OzOS is a GNU Linux distribution available as a Live CD or as a desktop package that can be installed over the top of almost debian GNU Linux system. The iso-based full implemetation of OzOS is based on a minimal but up-to-date implementation of the enlightenment desktop manager over a minimal Ubuntu GNU Linux base.
The Oz-desktop package is just the minimal e17 desktop and a few stable e17 utilities. The major difference between OzOS and other e17 distros is the use of the most up-to-date e17 sources (from the e17 cvs).
The purpose of OzOS is to provide a stable and fast e17 desktop distribution for both advanced and relatively new Linux users.
OzOS is one of a number of projects fostered by CafeLinux.org as a sandbox for new open-source developers.
If you don't already use OzOS, you can download either the 64bit or 32bit versions here.
What is CafeLinux?
Good question.
CafeLinux might be:
- A collaboration space for volunteer open-source enthusiasts to pursue innovative projects of benefit to the community; or
- An online paddock where a loose collection of multicultural Linux tragics get together to exercise their hobby-horses; or
- A sort of half-way house for the wretched refuse of teeming shores, the homeless, tempest-tost flotsam of FOSS projects gone off the rails; or
- A bizarre and slightly dangerous social experiment to find out what happens when you put a diverse group of individualistic "outsiders" with an equally wide range of personality disorders into a collective and tell them to organize themselves (muhahahahaha); or
- All of the above.
Nobody really knows! But, at least for now, it seems to be working. Feel free to join in - but YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! There are no pre-requisites to join - just an interest in FOSS and some enthusiasm.
CafeLinux is not just (or even mainly) about programming. Visit the CafeLinux homepage to learn more about the member projects we host.
