How do I install and update softwares? - Using apt-get command in linux distributions based on debian

The situation: Ok, I was too excited browsing on the internet looking for free softwares to be installed in my linux box. Unlike in Windows, I stumbled up with so many methods of downloading and installing the software - I can see Gunzip (tar.gz), binary (.bin) JAR, .rpm, .deb..... you name it. And it really annoying because each softwares have their own dependencies. Not to mention about questions of which version suits my linux box.

The problem: Is there any way to quickly install software (just like in Windows) with having to worries about dependencies, extra libraries or whatsoever obstacles that may delay our time?

The Solutions: If you are using any debian based linux distribution (you may click here too) then life is much easier with apt-get command. But first let me explain how do you get to search the respective softwares.

First, you may go to debian package search page (http://packages.debian.org). Scroll down a a little until you reach about in the middle where you can see the searchbox, enter your search, and wait for the result. For example I was looking for installing gaim Instant Messenger, type in gaim and you can see few result. Your knowledge should be good enough to differentiate between each of the resulting package ( Use common sense, gaim is supposedly the package we are looking for, while gaim-extendedprefs and gaim-guinotifications are the add-ons). NOTE: People would recommend to use the stable, but as for me, I always preferred the latest one, regardless of their stability, so whatever you choose is up to you.

Click on the package, you may want to read the grimy details, or perhaps you just proceed with the apt-get. Get the keyword from the bolded title ( in this case it is gaim) Open the terminal, and type in the following command:

me@localhost:~# apt-get install gaim

or

me@localhost:~# apt-get update ; apt-get install gaim

Wait for the apt-get program to download informations from mirrors. Later as you may see, the terminal will displays all the dependencies needed (if any), how many packages to be downloaded etc - EVERYTHING IS BEING SETUP FOR YOU. All you have to do is to key in the answe , either (Y) es or (N)o. And leave the rest for the apt-get to install it.

And as you may guess, you might want to touch-up your gaim with following command (of course right after gaim completely installed. Note that you cannot run apt-get simultaneously)

apt-get update ; apt-get install gaim-guinotifications