PackageKit > Item not found
Why am I seeing this page?
If you're seeing this page, it is probably because you tried to search for something in PackageKit, but it could not find what you were looking for. Look at the contents below to find information about specific issues you might encounter.
Contents
General Information
If you have been a Windows and/or a Mac OS user to date, you are probably used to searching for a program on the internet (often offered in an executable installer) and having to download and install it. You're probably familiar with software distributed on CDs, DVDs, etc. which often have an autorun feature from where you can then install them. For free and open systems like Debian GNU/Linux there is some software distributed in this fashion, but those are mostly proprietary and closed programs.
On systems like Debian, most software is packaged in nice .deb (or .rpm, like in Fedora) files which contain the programs and libraries you need. These files can be downloaded or come in CDs. Repositories are servers which contain sets of packages. You generally access them with tools like Synaptic.
These tools can list all the packages you have installed (from your kernel to your favorite application with all the libraries in between) and the packages that are available in the repositories that you have configured the tool to have access to. They also let you search for simple things like "image editor".
These tools provide a simple, centralized method of software installation and give the distributors (who set up the repositories) a centralized way to send you updates to your software.
In Debian you generally want to have at least Debian's repositories (which may include the install CD) but it is not uncommon to have other repositories (from other packagers) set up.
It's important to know that most of the tools you'll want to use in Debian are already in Debian's repositories. You can go search the internet for packages, or even source code, for others, but these will be more difficult to install and won't, most of the time, integrate as well with your system.
If you see this page, you might have searched for something Debian's repositories don't provide at time. Here you can find a list of possible issues and how to solve them.
From Ubuntu Help
Possible issues
Missing Package
Unfortunately, the package you were searching for is not available in the repositories. There are a few common reasons why a package might not be in Debian's repositories:
- Debian does not include software that is encumbered by software patents.
Debian does not include proprietary software, only software compliant to the DFSG.
It is possible that no one has packaged it yet. You might consider submitting an RFP, or even packaging it yourself!
See Package Management for instructions how to add 3rd-party software repositories to extend the spectrum of available Debian packages.
Missing Codec
Unfortunately, the codec you were searching for is not available in Debian. A codec is a program that enables encoding and/or decoding of a data stream, in a specific format such as OGV, MP3, MOV, or WMV.
There are a few common reasons why a codec might not be in Debian's repositories:
- Many codecs are proprietary or patent encumbered.
Some codecs may not be encumbered, but may be under an unacceptable license.
See MultimediaCodecs to get information how to install missing codecs.
Missing Driver
Unfortunately, the driver you were searching for is not available in Debian. There are a few common reasons why a driver might not be in Debian's repositories:
- Some drivers are proprietary or patent encumbered.
- Some hardware may not be supported under GNU/Linux yet, or is not yet in the upstream Linux kernel.
See ?Driver for additional information about installing hardware drivers.
Missing Font
Unfortunately, the font you were searching for is not available in Debian. There are a few common reasons why a font might not be in Debian's repositories:
Debian does not include proprietary fonts, it only uses fonts with an acceptable font license.
It is possible that no one has packaged that font yet. You might consider submitting an RFP, or even packaging it yourself!
See Fonts for additional information.
Missing MIME Support
Unfortunately, there is nothing in the repositories that claims to support the MIME type you were searching for. There are a few common reasons why Debian may not have support for a MIME type:
Many MIME types are Windows-only. You may be able to use Wine to run a Windows program under GNU/Linux that supports your MIME type.
- Some MIME types are only supported by proprietary or patent encumbered software.
It is possible that acceptable software to support your MIME type exists, but that no one has packaged it yet. You might consider submitting an RFP, or even packaging it yourself!
List of item-descriptions was taken from Fedorawiki, licensed under CC-BY-SA
Further Reading
?Software Management