Abstract
Change the software collection of your system using YaST. In YaST's software management tool search for software components you want to add or remove. YaST resolves all the dependencies for you. Keep your system up-to-date by managing software updates with openSUSE Updater.
Software is available via RPM packages. Each package contains the program itself, the configuration files, and additional documentation. You can also install software patterns. If you want the program (package) to be added to the system, proceed as follows (if you have KDE running—for GNOME see below):
Procedure 3.1. Installing Single Software Packages under KDE
Start YaST and click
+ to start the package manager.
Enter the name of the software you want to install in the search field
(for example, jhead
, a tool for manipulating
JPEG meta data) and press Enter.
If you do not now the package name of the desired software, the
jhead
,
for example, can be found under + .
The packages found are listed in the right pane. Select a package for installation by right clicking it and choosing Shift+F1 for help.
. If this option is not available, the package is either already installed or marked as taboo. The package status is indicated by the symbol in front of the package name—hitIn order to select more packages, repeat the steps mentioned above. Once you are finished click
to start the installation.Certain packages are dependent on other packages, such as shared libraries. YaST automatically resolves these dependencies. In this case, a list of additional packages that have automatically been chosen for installation is presented. Accept them by clicking
.On the other hand, some packages cannot co-exist with others on the system. In this case a list of packages that have automatically been chosen for deletion is presented. Accept them by clicking
.If your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved, you need to manually solve these conflicts as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference).
Once all selected packages are installed, the YaST package manager automatically terminates.
Procedure 3.2. Installing Single Software Packages under GNOME
Start YaST and click
+ to start the package manager.
From the grouping menu in the upper left corner, select
jhead
, a tool
for manipulating JPEG meta data).
Right-click the package you want to install in the main pane and click
.In order to select more packages, repeat the previous steps. Once you are finished click
twice to start the installation.Certain packages are dependent on other packages, such as shared libraries. YaST automatically resolves these dependencies. In this case, a list of additional packages that have automatically been chosen for installation is presented in the
window. Accept them by clicking .On the other hand, some packages cannot co-exist with others on the system. In this case a list of packages that have automatically been chosen for deletion is presented. Accept them by clicking
.If your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved, you will need to manually solve these conflicts as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference).
You can also install software patterns. Patterns are a set of packages consisting of tools for a specific task; for example, there is a pattern for “Technical Writing” that consists of XML tools, special editors, the LaTeX environment, and more. To install a pattern, proceed as follows (if you have KDE running—for GNOME see below):
Procedure 3.3. Installing Software Patterns under KDE
Start YaST and click
+ to start the YaST package manager.From the
button in the upper left corner, select . Now you see various pattern sets listed in the left pane.![]() |
Click on a pattern name for a list of all packages included in the pattern. Choose one or more patterns for installation by clicking the checkbox on front of the pattern's name.
Click
to proceed.Confirm the automatic changes that were made to resolve dependencies with
.Procedure 3.4. Installing Software Patterns under GNOME
Start YaST and click
+ to start the package manager.From the grouping menu in the upper left corner, select
. Now you see various pattern sets listed in the left pane.![]() |
Clicking on a pattern's name, for example on
, opens the list of packages it contains in the right pane. To install the pattern, right-click on the pattern's name and choose . Add or deselect single packages in the right pane.Click
to install the listed packages.If you want to remove software from the system, proceed as follows if you have KDE running (for GNOME see below):
Procedure 3.5. Removing Software under KDE
Start YaST and click
+ to start the package manager.Search for single packages as described in Section 3.1, “Installing Software”.
Mark packages for deletion by right-clicking them and choosing
.Click
to proceed.If you have chosen to delete a package on which other packages are dependent, your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved. In this case, it is recommended to not delete the package. You can try to manually solve this conflict as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference), but be aware that each change you make may lead to other conflicts. To discard all changes you made, click
two times and then .With GNOME running, proceed as follows:
Start YaST and click
+ to start the package manager.From the grouping menu in the upper left corner, select Section 3.1, “Installing Software”.
. From the left pane choose from the top list and from the bottom list. Search for single packages as described inRight-click the package you want to remove in the main pane and click
.![]() |
In order to select more packages, repeat the previous steps. Once you are finished click
to start the removal.If you have chosen to delete a package on which other packages are dependent, your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved. In this case, it is recommended to not delete the package. You can try to manually solve this conflict as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference), but be aware that each change you make may lead to other conflicts. To discard all changes you made, click
in the bottom status line.openSUSE offers a continuous stream of software security patches for your product. The update applet informs you about the availability of patches and lets you easily install them with just a few clicks.
The openSUSE community also provides updates to newer versions of software packages. The updater applet optionally keeps a list of all programs installed on your system and informs you whenever newer versions are available. The updater can also search for and install new drivers when new hardware is attached.
![]() | Patches vs. New Versions |
---|---|
The patches offered by openSUSE either fix security holes or serious errors in the software. A patch normally does not upgrade to a newer version and does not offer additional functionality. A new program version offered by the community may offer fixes, too, but primarily adds new functionality. |
The updater applet resides in the system tray of your panel depicting the head of the SUSE mascot (Geeko), which changes depending on the availability and relevance of patches and the status of the updater. Whenever the icon changes, a tool tip displays the current status. The applet is started by default. To start it manually, choose Alt+F2 and enter kupdateapplet.
+ + + from the main menu. Alternatively, pressThe updater icon shows the following states:
No patches available. When new versions are available, a tool tip appears when the mouse is moved over the icon.
The updater applet is busy (for example checking for updates, installing software).
Security patches available.
Recommended patches are available.
Optional patches are available.
An error has occurred.
No update repository is defined. When you click the updater applet in this state, you are asked if you want to check for updates. If you agree, the YaST
module is started.The Online Update Applet offers two modes for installing patches: the simple installation mode will automatically install all security and recommended patches, while the detailed mode lets you choose which patches to install.
Procedure 3.6. Installing Patches: Simple Mode
Whenever the update applet shows the availability of patches, left-click to open the software installation window.
Choose whether to skip the installation of patches that are recommended and those that require a restart. It is recommended to install both.
Click
to start the patch installation.
In case you have started the patch installation for the first time,
you will be asked to enter the root
password in order to
proceed. If you also check
you will never be asked again to provide the password.
You can monitor the installation status by hovering the mouse over the update applet icon.
Procedure 3.7. Installing Patches: Detailed Mode
Whenever the update applet shows the availability of patches, left-click to open the software installation window.
Click
to make the updater show a detailed list of all patches, including the package name, the repository where the package comes from and whether a reboot is needed after installation or not.Click on a patch name for more information. Select or de-select a patch by clicking its checkbox. By default, security and recommended patches are pre-selected.
Click
to start the patch installation.
In case you have started the patch installation for the first time,
you will be asked to enter the root
password in order to
proceed. If you also check
you will never be asked again to provide the password.
The updater performs the installation of the patches. You can monitor the installation status by hovering the mouse over the update applet icon. See the system tray for status messages and a progress meter.
New software versions are available from software repositories provided
by the openSUSE community. By default, no such repositories are
preconfigured. To add a repository, right-click on the updater icon and
choose root
password to start the module. A list from which you
can choose popular community repositories is already preconfigured
(http://en.opensuse.org/Additional_YaST_Package_Repositories.
+ ). For even more community
repositories refer to
![]() | Trusting External Software Sources |
---|---|
Before adding external software repositories to your list of repositories make sure this repository can be trusted. openSUSE is not responsible for any potential problems arising from software installed from third party software repositories. |
The updater applet does not monitor repositories for new software
versions by default. To enable this feature, open the configuration
window as described in Section 3.3.1.3, “Configuring the Updater Applet” and
activate the check box . When the updater icon indicates the
availability of updates, click on the icon to launch the software
installation window. Click on and then on the
tab to open the list with new software
versions. Either select single packages by activating the box in front
of an entry, or click .
starts the installation of the selected
software packages. You will be prompted for the root
password. See
the system tray for status messages and a progress meter.
![]() | The YaST Online Update |
---|---|
The YaST Online Update offers advanced features to customize the installation of software updates. Please refer to Chapter YaST Online Update (↑Reference) for more information. |
By default the updater is started on login, checks for updates every 24 hours, shows recurring notifications every 60 minutes and monitors the availability of patches. To change this behavior, right-click the applet icon and choose
.The configuration dialog also offers to change the following settings:
Choose the interval between checks for updates in hours.
Choose the interval between notifications in minutes.
Start the applet automatically when the user logs in. Active by default.
Choose between different back-ends. The kupdateapplet-zypp
.
Activate this option when you prefer the detailed patch view that lists all patches available with short summaries rather than the simple view.
Prohibits checking for updates when running on batteries in order to save power. This option is activated by default but only affects mobile computers.
Prohibits checking for updates when the system is under heavy load. This option is activated by default.
Provided a repository offering appropriate drivers, the updater can automatically install drivers for hardware such as USB devices.
The update applet resides in the notification area of the panel. Its icon changes depending on the availability and relevance of patches and the status of the update. To invoke the applet manually, choose
+ + + .![]() | Icon visibility |
---|---|
By default, the update applet icon is only visible in the notification area, if patches are available. |
The update is busy (for example checking for updates or installing software).
Security patches are available.
Important patches are available.
Trivial patches are available.
An error has occurred.
Whenever software updates are available, the applet icon appears in the panel.
Click on the applet icon to start the
applet.It is safe to install all preselected software updates in one go. If you have special demands, you can modify the preselected set by changing the state of the check boxes in the
column.Click
.
You will be prompted for the root
password after having proceeded
with . The update applet performs the
installation of the software updates. After having finished the
installation, choose whether to
or the
applet.
![]() | The YaST Online Update |
---|---|
The YaST Online Update offers advanced features to customize the installation of software updates. Please refer to Chapter YaST Online Update (↑Reference) for more information. |
To configure the update applet, right-click the update icon in the panel and choose
. The configuration dialog lets you modify the following settings:Choose how often a check for updates is performed:
, , , or .Configure whether patches are installed automatically or not (default). Automatic installation can be chosen for either security patches only or for all patches.
More options are configurable using gconf-editor: + .