The Muon package manager was introduced to Kubuntu for the release of 11.10. The Muon package manager offers a convenient way to install new packages and manage package updates. This is a another great package manager for the inexperienced Linux user.

Customizing Muon

The Muon package manager allows customizable keyboard shortcuts and toolbars to make things more convenient for the user.

Extra Details

You can even use the Muon package manager to add or remove software repositories. You can even save a list of installed packages that you can import later, or view a list of changes made previously.

Muon Package Manager Interface

The Muon package manager interface is extremely user friendly, but also offers many advanced package details as well. For each package a description is available as well as information about dependencies and recent changes.

The Menu Bar

The menu bar is located at the top of the Muon package manager window. Here you can find all of the actions available for the Muon package manager.

The Tool Bar

The tool bar is directly below the menu bar, this bar contains shortcuts to all of the most popular actions.

The Search Bar

The search bar is located above main display area. You can use the search bar to search for packages that match your description.

The Filter Panel

This panel is located on the left side of the main window. You can use the filter panel to choose specific package categories that will appear in your search results.

The Display Area

The primary display area is where you can select packages that you are interested in installing or updating.

The Details Panel

This is located below the main package display area. Here you can see information about the selected packages.

The Status Bar

At the bottom of the window you can see the status bar. This bar will display how many packages are available, how many are installed, and how many need to be upgraded.

Muon Package Manager Menus

The following actions and options are contained inside the Muon package manager menus.

File Menu

Read Markings

With this option you can restore a list of markings from a backup file, this will determine if packages are marked as upgradeable, installed, or not installed.

Save Markings As

Use this so save a list of marked packages as a file for later use.

Save Installed Package List

This will save a list of installed packages as a file that you can restore later.

Save Package Download List

This will save a list of package that you can restore later, this is great for use on systems without Internet access.

Download Packages From List

Use this to download the list of previously saved packages from a saved package download list.

Add Downloaded Packages

This will then add the previously downloaded packages from the download list you specify.

Quit

You can use this to quit the Muon package manager.

Edit Menu

Undo

This will undo the last action.

Redo

You can use this to redo the last undone action.

Unmark All

This will unmark all packages marked for changes.

Check For Updates

With this you can check all installed packages for required updates.

Cautious Upgrade

You can use this to perform a cautious upgrade to the next distribution release, settings files and other important data may be backed up but no documentation is provided.

Full Upgrade

This will perform a full distribution upgrade to the next available release.

Remove Unnecessary Packages

You can use this to quickly and easily remove all packages that are no longer required.

Preview Changes

This will display a preview of the packages marked for changes.

Apply Changes

With this you can apply all changes made to marked packages.

View Menu

History

Use this to see a history of changes made with the Muon package manager.

Settings Menu

Configure Software Sources

This option will open a new window where you can add and remove software sources. Many other options are also available inside this window.

Show Toolbars

Use this to toggle the display of your toolbars inside the main Muon package manager window.

Configure Shortcuts

This will open a new window where you can customize your own keyboard shortcuts for the Muon package manager. Many shortcuts are already defined.

Configure Toolbars

With this you can customize your Muon package manager toolbars.

Configure Muon Package Manager

Use this to open the Muon package manager preferences window.

Help Menu

Inside the help menu you can documentation and version information about the Muon package manager.

Linux Desktop Software Managers