Q4OS Forum

upALLnight

Member

Registered: 2018-06-04

Posts: 37

[SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

SOLUTION:

Open "Discover" software app, search for Deepin app, install, open deb file and click install

Original problem (archive) :

Okay once again left feeling like an idiot for not being able to install simple .deb files.

Downloaded ZohoWriter*, right-clicked, permissions, checked allow executable. That opens up an Ark giving me gz and tz files. Looking into those just gives me a whole bunch of files and folders but no installation.

Tried to follow advice from another thread here sourcing this advice:
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-DEB-Files

Gdebi already installed, so tried the commands, nothing worked. But then I noticed this from the earlier updates step:

W: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/g2p/storage/ubuntu hirsute Release'
does not have a Release file.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
W: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/mumble/release/ubuntu hirsute Release' does not have a Release file.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
E: Failed to fetch http://ppa.launchpad.net/g2p/storage/ub … 4/Packages  404  Not Found [IP: 91.189.95.85 80]
E: Failed to fetch http://ppa.launchpad.net/mumble/release … 4/Packages  404  Not Found [IP: 91.189.95.85 80]
E: Some index files failed to download. They have been ignored, or old ones used instead.

I do not know why update keeps seeking mumble packages because I followed terminal instructions to remove, as earlier advised here. When I look up mumble in Syn, neither of the two package results show up as installed.

Also getting the same/similar syn errors ^ on another (ollld) computer I installed Q4os on but after switching it off last night with no signs of trouble, it simple refuses to turn on this morning - no beeps, no lights, no fan, no nothing. Sigh, another glorious day on old gear.

*lighter, faster but still has full screen editing I crave - Libre Office pauses and stumbles every time I start writing a sentence, so that's just a no go, sorry.

Last edited by upALLnight (2021-05-06 03:59)

bin

Member

From: U.K.

Registered: 2016-01-28

Posts: 1,300

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

Probably something to do with having added a PPA for Ubuntu 21.04 - PPA and Debian is a NO-NO in normal use.

If you have downloaded a .deb file then the simple way to install it is to go to the folder where it has arrived, then open a Konsole/Terminal in the folder and do

sudo apt install ./name-of-file.deb

NOTE the ./ in front of the file name!!!

It will check for any dependencies that it can resolve and if all can be resolved the app will install. If not - it won't.

Whether you *should* install random debs is another matter altogether. It's your system.

I eventually tracked down the ZohoWriter.deb file via their site. Testing in Debian Bullseye (Gemini) shows that it falls over on a libappindicator3-1 dependency so without a load of messing around it seems like a no go. libappindicator3-1 is available via Debian Sid - Unstable but has too many other dependencies on Sid.

upALLnight

Member

Registered: 2018-06-04

Posts: 37

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

Ah thank you for your advice!

"Whether you *should* install random debs is another matter altogether. It's your system."

Because random debs might be a security risk? I did somehow get Bitwarden installed, can't remember how.

Meantime, I did not realise random debs were a no-no for Q4os. Had somehow come to the (obviously mistaken) belief there was high interoperability between flavours of Linux, especially if they are in the same development chain or whatever each flavour is technically called.

So I should only install stuff that comes through the software centre and/or Synaptic, preferably?

Edit: is there a way I can clean up my installation to get rid of the errors ^ above ?

Last edited by upALLnight (2021-04-04 20:19)

Tolkem

Member

Registered: 2019-10-06

Posts: 487

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

Okay once again left feeling like an idiot for not being able to install simple .deb files.

Downloaded ZohoWriter*, right-clicked, permissions, checked allow executable. That opens up an Ark giving me gz and tz files. Looking into those just gives me a whole bunch of files and folders but no installation.

Tried to follow advice from another thread here sourcing this advice:
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-DEB-Files

Gdebi already installed, so tried the commands, nothing worked. But then I noticed this from the earlier updates step:

W: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/g2p/storage/ubuntu hirsute Release'
does not have a Release file.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
W: The repository 'http://ppa.launchpad.net/mumble/release/ubuntu hirsute Release' does not have a Release file.
N: Data from such a repository can't be authenticated and is therefore potentially dangerous to use.
N: See apt-secure(8) manpage for repository creation and user configuration details.
E: Failed to fetch http://ppa.launchpad.net/g2p/storage/ub … 4/Packages  404  Not Found [IP: 91.189.95.85 80]
E: Failed to fetch http://ppa.launchpad.net/mumble/release … 4/Packages  404  Not Found [IP: 91.189.95.85 80]
E: Some index files failed to download. They have been ignored, or old ones used instead.

I do not know why update keeps seeking mumble packages because I followed terminal instructions to remove, as earlier advised here. When I look up mumble in Syn, neither of the two package results show up as installed.

Also getting the same/similar syn errors ^ on another (ollld) computer I installed Q4os on but after switching it off last night with no signs of trouble, it simple refuses to turn on this morning - no beeps, no lights, no fan, no nothing. Sigh, another glorious day on old gear.

*lighter, faster but still has full screen editing I crave - Libre Office pauses and stumbles every time I start writing a sentence, so that's just a no go, sorry.

Where did you get the .deb file? I couldn't find any here https://www.zoho.com/writer/?src=zoho-home&ireft=ohome it's online only. I did find this too https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/communi … or-desktop and there it says that supports Debian which is the base for Q4OS, but it doesn't provide a .deb file either, at least not one that I could see, just a .tar.gz, you can get from here https://www.zoho.com/es-xl/docs/download-page.html According to the instructions, you have to download and extract the .tar.gz, then run the Zoho Docs Installer file. Also, if you're looking for a LO alternative, you could try this https://www.onlyoffice.com/en/download-desktop.aspx You can download the .deb file or the appimage. I use the appimage and it works quite well.

EDIT: I just downloaded zoho docs, didn't install it, just checked the install script in Kate, and it just installs the zoho cloud sync client, no office apps.

Last edited by Tolkem (2021-04-04 22:39)

bin

Member

From: U.K.

Registered: 2016-01-28

Posts: 1,300

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

Ah thank you for your advice!

"Whether you *should* install random debs is another matter altogether. It's your system."

Because random debs might be a security risk? I did somehow get Bitwarden installed, can't remember how.

Meantime, I did not realise random debs were a no-no for Q4os. Had somehow come to the (obviously mistaken) belief there was high interoperability between flavours of Linux, especially if they are in the same development chain or whatever each flavour is technically called.

So I should only install stuff that comes through the software centre and/or Synaptic, preferably?

Edit: is there a way I can clean up my installation to get rid of the errors ^ above ?

Re random debs - yes they can be a security issue but also - and indeed mainly - because of dependencies which can break other things. Now, you need to exercise some judgement here, for example I use Softmaker Free Office which I download as a deb, and a few others as well. But these are from sources I trust.

Look in synaptic first. If what you need is not there - or is a very old version, then look at the developer site. They may will publish releases which are Debian version compatible. Now, some folks also release linux binaries which are self contained structures including all the bits needed to run. These are usually tgz packages.  I get XnViewMP this way because it allows me to run it in a particular way that stops my .xsession-errors file getting filled with output.

As regards the errors - just open synaptic and go to the sources. Disable the ppa entry. Let it run an update, and if that's OK then delete the entry. If I get an error installing a deb I then go to Konsole and run

sudo apt install -f

to make sure it's all clean.

bin

Member

From: U.K.

Registered: 2016-01-28

Posts: 1,300

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

Where did you get the .deb file? I couldn't find any here https://www.zoho.com/writer/?src=zoho-home&ireft=ohome it's online only. I did find this too https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/communi … or-desktop and there it says that supports Debian which is the base for Q4OS, but it doesn't provide a .deb file either, at least not one that I could see, just a .tar.gz, you can get from here https://www.zoho.com/es-xl/docs/download-page.html According to the instructions, you have to download and extract the .tar.gz, then run the Zoho Docs Installer file. Also, if you're looking for a LO alternative, you could try this https://www.onlyoffice.com/en/download-desktop.aspx You can download the .deb file or the appimage. I use the appimage and it works quite well.

EDIT: I just downloaded zoho docs, didn't install it, just checked the install script in Kate, and it just installs the zoho cloud sync client, no office apps.

https://files-accl.zohopublic.com/publi … load/linux

upALLnight

Member

Registered: 2018-06-04

Posts: 37

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

Where did you get the .deb file? I couldn't find any here https://www.zoho.com/writer/?src=zoho-home&ireft=ohome it's online only. I did find this too https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/communi … or-desktop and there it says that supports Debian which is the base for Q4OS, but it doesn't provide a .deb file either, at least not one that I could see, just a .tar.gz, you can get from here https://www.zoho.com/es-xl/docs/download-page.html According to the instructions, you have to download and extract the .tar.gz, then run the Zoho Docs Installer file. Also, if you're looking for a LO alternative, you could try this https://www.onlyoffice.com/en/download-desktop.aspx You can download the .deb file or the appimage. I use the appimage and it works quite well.

EDIT: I just downloaded zoho docs, didn't install it, just checked the install script in Kate, and it just installs the zoho cloud sync client, no office apps.

Got the .deb file here:
https://www.zoho.com/writer/desktop-app.html

Not open source but the tech reviews I read and VirusTotal seem to find it trustworthy. I could extract okay but got lost from there, not knowing what file to look for, or able to find anything online that tells me what to look for. Was also confused because previously I've clicked the permissions check box under properties and been able to install straight from the .deb file?

Anyhoo, is the "Zoho Docs Installer" file in the extracted files, or is that an additional download?

What follows is bla bla bla but helps explain why I'm taking this particular path >

Yes, have tried OnlyOffice but it also suffers the lag problem I experience with LibreOffice. As a freelance journo I guess my keyboard rattling is just too quick sometimes for either programme. The zoho writer 'just works' smoothly. OOffice also lacks the full screen option I need to write without visual clutter. Zoho Writer also has inbuilt publishing apps that push straight to WordPress or Blogger that I'm keen to try. I had previously used Open Live Writer which was almost perfect but is not being maintained anymore, sadly.

Why not just use online apps?

I do a lot of volunteer work with colleagues in the Pacific Islands, where I used to be based, and internet connections there are slow, patchy, and oh so very expensive. Testing offline publishing platforms like Open Live Writer, Publii and now Zoho helps cross the digital divide for these remote communities. There are web apps that can be converted to desktop apps but an additional complication is that many people, like myself, are on old/slow gear that does not handle large apps well.

Thanks heaps for your help! Will do the clean up as advised.

Tolkem

Member

Registered: 2019-10-06

Posts: 487

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

Where did you get the .deb file? I couldn't find any here https://www.zoho.com/writer/?src=zoho-home&ireft=ohome it's online only. I did find this too https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/communi … or-desktop and there it says that supports Debian which is the base for Q4OS, but it doesn't provide a .deb file either, at least not one that I could see, just a .tar.gz, you can get from here https://www.zoho.com/es-xl/docs/download-page.html According to the instructions, you have to download and extract the .tar.gz, then run the Zoho Docs Installer file. Also, if you're looking for a LO alternative, you could try this https://www.onlyoffice.com/en/download-desktop.aspx You can download the .deb file or the appimage. I use the appimage and it works quite well.

EDIT: I just downloaded zoho docs, didn't install it, just checked the install script in Kate, and it just installs the zoho cloud sync client, no office apps.

Got the .deb file here:
https://www.zoho.com/writer/desktop-app.html

Not open source but the tech reviews I read and VirusTotal seem to find it trustworthy. I could extract okay but got lost from there, not knowing what file to look for, or able to find anything online that tells me what to look for. Was also confused because previously I've clicked the permissions check box under properties and been able to install straight from the .deb file?

You don't need to extract the .deb, just make it executable, that is, give it the right permissions to execute, then install using your preferred method:
1. Via terminal
Say you downloaded a .deb file to your home directory, then to install it you just have to launch a terminal and type

sudo apt install ./pkg_name.deb

2. Via GUI
You can double-click, or select, right-click and from the context menu choose install with package manager where package manager can be synaptic, discover, gdebi, apper or whatever other GUI you have installed/available.

Anyhoo, is the "Zoho Docs Installer" file in the extracted files, or is that an additional download?

Yes, it is. Once you extract the .tar.gz you should end with a folder called zohodocs or something like that - removed so. Inside that folder there should be 2 files, zohodocsinstaller.desktop and zohodocsuninstaller.desktop like I said I didn't install it but according to the instructions you should use the installer by double-clicking it.

What follows is bla bla bla but helps explain why I'm taking this particular path >

Yes, have tried OnlyOffice but it also suffers the lag problem I experience with LibreOffice. As a freelance journo I guess my keyboard rattling is just too quick sometimes for either programme. The zoho writer 'just works' smoothly. OOffice also lacks the full screen option I need to write without visual clutter. Zoho Writer also has inbuilt publishing apps that push straight to WordPress or Blogger that I'm keen to try. I had previously used Open Live Writer which was almost perfect but is not being maintained anymore, sadly.

Why not just use online apps?

I do a lot of volunteer work with colleagues in the Pacific Islands, where I used to be based, and internet connections there are slow, patchy, and oh so very expensive. Testing offline publishing platforms like Open Live Writer, Publii and now Zoho helps cross the digital divide for these remote communities. There are web apps that can be converted to desktop apps but an additional complication is that many people, like myself, are on old/slow gear that does not handle large apps well.

Thanks heaps for your help! Will do the clean up as advised.

Well, that's your specific use-case and you should use what works better for you. Publii is a very nice app, I use it too.

upALLnight

Member

Registered: 2018-06-04

Posts: 37

Re: [SOLVED] Installing deb packages | use deepin .deb installer

One option for idiots like me is to install the Deepin installer - via the Software centre in Plasma. Once installed, simply a matter of opening a .deb file you've downloaded and Deepin does the rest. Installed the Zoho writer app no problem.