Synaptic should accept a string of packages to install

[Jo-Erlend Schinstad]

Binary package hint: synaptic

Synaptic lacks a feature that in practice forces people to use commandline alternatives like apt-get and aptitude; it doesn't let you paste a string of packages to install. It should be possible to paste a number of packages and get a confirmation if all packages are available or a warning if not. This will enable guide-writers to say "Paste this into Synaptic", instead of "paste sudo apt-get install package1 package2 packagen". The copying and pasting of sudo commands is a bad thing, because people don't know what they're pasting and running as root. It's also a bad thing because it strengthens the claim that Linux can't be used properly without issuing commands in a terminal.

I'd recommend using an input field directly above the headers of the search result table, use that for all searches and enable searching for many packages at the same time. A button could be used to configure search options, as is customary on the web.

[Jad Madi (jad)]

Having an easily accessible (with minimal clicks) application to edit software-repositories is a plus in Ubuntu and it serves the "GUI friendly", "User Friendly" GNU/Linux Campaign.

Maybe we should work on educated the community about using command lines without understand what it does and ask the guides writer folks to stick to available GUI instead of command line when offering a solution.

[Michael Vogt (mvo)]

Thanks for your bugreport.

Do you know about apturl? Its a little tool that we install since gutsy and it lets you specify what packages to install as a hyperlink in a website (or a forum post). You can use it at the commandline too. Give it:
apturl apt://2vcard
(or any other package) and it will ask to install it.

Use it at a website as a hyperlink with "apt:2vcard".

Is that sufficient for your needs?

[Jo-Erlend Schinstad (joerlend.schinstad-deactivatedaccount)]

Jad: Having alot of menu-items that point to the same thing is not simple or user-friendly, and it conflicts with the one application per feature design goal. Besides, if you're adding a repository, then you're probably going to install a package, which you'll do in Synaptic anyway. I don't understand the benefit of having an extra menu-item for it.

apturl is very nice, especially for guides on the web, but I still think Synaptic should have its own method. You shouldn't have to rely on firefox or the terminal.

[Gareth Fitzworthington (mapping-gp-deactivatedaccount)]

In view of Michael comments (regarding apturl) the original reporter still considers stated synaptic enhancement idea as an important feature proposal for synaptic.
Therefore, confirming for further (perhaps final) consideration by Michael & other synaptic maintainers.