Apps Installed Via CLI Are Owned By Root

[MintyX]

[Linux Mint 12 x64]

When I install applications via the CLI like so:

sudo apt-get install application

the application is owned by root. As a result, I cannot run the application, even as an Administrator.

Perhaps for the same reason - owned by root - there is no shortcut to the application in the Application menu.

What am I doing wrong? IOW, how can I run the application and put its shortcut in the Applications menu?

[proxima_centauri]

What application is not running properly after installing via "sudo apt-get install"?

[MintyX]

Thanks for your help.

I first attempted to install Goggle Chromium through the CLI, with results as described in my original post (i.e., owned by root; no shortcut in Applications.) I had to uninstall. Fortunately, I later discovered that Chromium was available through Software Manager. Installing through Software Manager was effortless.

I then attempted to install Avast! anti-virus, with the same adverse results. I was able to fully remove Avast! Unfortunately, this application is not available through Software Manager.

Any help is gratefully appreciated.

[proxima_centauri]

Installing through Software Manager, Package Manager, or manually through APT will produce the same result. Try Package Manager if it is not available in Software Manager.

[srs5694]

I don't know what caused your problem, but on a normal Linux system (including Mint, of course), the vast majority of applications are owned by root. This does not prevent their being run by normal users, since the permissions are such that everybody has read and execute access to the program files, and read access to any necessary support files (font, icons, etc.).

My guess is that your installation attempt failed for some reason other than your installation method -- perhaps the software you installed relied on libraries that you didn't have installed, or maybe the package you installed placed the software in a non-standard location. If you want to know what happened for sure, you'll need to post more details, such as the precise error messages you received when you attempted to launch the program.

[MintyX]

Here's what happened when I tried to install Avast!

Initially, I followed the instructions in How To Install And Use Avast Antivirus In Linux Mint / Ubuntu. That didn't work...

http://ihaveapc.com/2011/07/how-to-install-and-use-avast-antivirus-in-linux-mint-ubuntu/

I was left with a bunch files and folders that didn't start Avast!

Next, I followed these directions:

1- Changed to the directory where I downloaded Avast!
cd /.../Downloads

2- Executed the install
sudo apt-get install avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb

3- Was asked for and provided my Administrator password. The following ensued:

Reading package lists...Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information...Done
E: Unable to locate package avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb
E: Couldn't find any package by regex avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb

I really need some advice (and a glass of Merlot.)

[rhodry]

1- Changed to the directory where I downloaded Avast!
cd /.../Downloads

2- Executed the install
sudo apt-get install avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb

3- Was asked for and provided my Administrator password. The following ensued:

Reading package lists...Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information...Done
E: Unable to locate package avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb
E: Couldn't find any package by regex avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb

Using "sudo apt-get" from cli tries to install the application from the repositories listed in /etc/apt/sources.list. You DO NOT use "apt-get" for command line installs! Instead, you should (from your Downloads folder) use:

$ sudo dpkg -i avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb

If you get any dependency errors, you must fix those first.

For more information you may Google the differences between cli & gui package management in Linux.

BTW, personally I think Avast for Linux is a ( Windows leftover) total waste of time & effort. Try using Clamav which is a "native" Linux virus detection application and is in the repositories, so will receive all relevant updates.

cheers,
rhodry.

[MintyX]

Oh dear.

Too much conflicting information; too many gotchas.

And Mint is supposed to be easy for beginners?

I'll give it a break for now and try installing something another time.

Thanks for everyones' help.

EDIT #1: Here's a tip for anyone following in my footsteps: I installed the 64-bit version of Mint - for no good reason other than I have 64-bit hardware - and Avast! is 32-bit software. This should work if you first install IA-32 compatibility libraries, which can be done with

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install ia32-libs

Following this, install Avast! with

Code: Select all

sudo dpkg --force-architecture -i avast4workstation_1.3.0-2_i386.deb

EDIT #2: There's considerable discussion on Linux forums about whether to install 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Linux. A lot of back-and-forth that's OT here; just keep in mind that it's something to consider before installing Linux.

Okay, I've taken up enough of everybody's time. Over and out.