this post was submitted on 01 Jan 2024
138 points (80.3% liked)

Linux

48372 readers
1981 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

https://mullvad.net/en/help/install-mullvad-app-linux

Trying to install VPN and these are the instructions Mullvad is giving me. This is ridiculous. There must be a more simple way. I know how to follow the instructions but I have no idea what I'm doing here. Can't I just download a file and install it? I'm on Ubuntu.

(page 4) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (3 children)

sudo synaptic for a graphical package manager.

Otherwise, just use sudo apt-get if the program you want isn't there, you may need to download the source and compile it yourself

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Or just download a binary if the program offers one

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Not specific to Mullvad, but you can use flatpak or your distro's package manager (probably apt) to install programs, On Ubuntu, you can open the software program and search the programs to install it, that should be the first thing to do when you want to install something rather than going to the website.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

More or less: yes.

It's copy and pasting 5 lines into the terminal and hitting enter. It's not that hard. If it's not worth the 15 seconds of 'work' you probably don't need the software that badly.

And it's not the default. Usually you shouldn't add random software sources and download software from some websites. Your Linux package manager should be the source for software. (Software Manager / Store / Synaptics, ... whatever Ubuntu calls it) It installs software with one or two clicks with the mouse, the software there is tested and tied into the rest of the systems and tens of thousands of packages are available. No malware guaranteed, and updates are handled automatically.

And with other Operating systems it's also ridiculous: You need to find the website of some software, avoid malware and copycats that advertise similar software with ads, click download, click 'yes' I accept a download with a harmful extension. Then you need to open the file manager and double click on it. Then a window opens and you need to click 'next'. Accept the terms. Give permission to install and maybe remove a few ticks and choose a location. I'd say it's about the same amount of work and the downside is it doesn't necessarily handle updates and security fixes.

I think Ubuntu doesn't have Mullvad available in their own repository. I took another approach and imported their settings/profile into the VPN/network manager that is available per default on many Linux distributions. No install required at all. But importing the settings isn't easier, so YMMV here. And I think you have to create a profile for each and every country/endpoint which is a bit cumbersome, depending on what you're trying to do with the VPN.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›