Installing Software - why doesn't it show up in the 'Software Center'

[speg]

So one thing I don't get about this Linux thing is the whole installation concept. Anyway, the "Software Center" is pretty easy for n00bs like me and I have been able to install things from there no problem.

But now I wanted to install Picasa from Google. I followed there instructions to add a new source to the "Software Center" by adding:

deb http://dl.google.com/linux/deb/ testing non-free

To the list of 'Other Software'. It refreshes and looks like it's working, but I cannot find Picasa.

Then at the bottom of the instructions it has some command lines to install, so I try:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install picasa

And sure enough, away it goes - command line style.

So now I've got Picasa installed, in the menu's and running fine. But yet, Picasa is still not in the "Software Center" under "Installed Software" or otherwise.

Sooo, what's going on? How can I give the "Software Center" a kick in the pants and acknowledge Picasa's existence?

 

[lxskllr]

Software Center is just a subset of what's available. To see everything, goto System-Administration-Synaptic. Picassa should be in there as long as you added the repository. It'll also have a ton of other things, but generally with less friendly descriptions.

 

[KeypoX]

i noticed this too, when i first tried software center. After that i never used it again.... sorry its just stupid and a waste of time if it doesnt list everything.

No one that noob will be using ubuntu in the first place.

 

[xSauronx]

i noticed this too, when i first tried software center. After that i never used it again.... sorry its just stupid and a waste of time if it doesnt list everything.

No one that noob will be using ubuntu in the first place.

yeah a few actually might, and thats the point. its there for a lot of software, but stuff not in the ubuntu repos or oddball things, even if you add a repo, wont be in it.

i always just used synaptic or aptitude *shrug*

 

[lxskllr]

Software Center's nice because it's likely to present you with the core software you're looking for, and the most popular iteration of it. For just browsing, Synaptic has too much crap in it. If I'm just browsing, or only have a vague notion of what I want, I'll go to Software Center first. If that doesn't give me what I want, I'll hit up Google, or browse Synaptic.

 

[MrColin]

Software Center kind of scares me because of the direction it points to as far as where ubuntu is going (maybe not a good place for my taste).

 

[Nothinman]

Software Center kind of scares me because of the direction it points to as far as where ubuntu is going (maybe not a good place for my taste).

Why? It's not like they're going to remove your ability to use synaptic or aptitude?