list of sites for Linux packages
There is a treasure trove of software for Linux just waiting for you to
download it from the Internet or copy it from a CD-ROM. However, you
may need to keep an open mind to recognize a treasure when you see it.
Finding software for Linux on the Internet is pretty easy, but there are three principles about free software you should accept before you start looking:
i) Something close to what you want exists. There are thousands of gigabytes of anonymous ftp space on the Internet and one of them will contain something that you'll consider useful—if you ever find it.
ii) Whatever you find won't do everything you need. Most of the free programs you'll soon be wading through were written by one or two programmers whose needs are fully met by the programs they wrote.
iii) Whatever you find will do more then you need. Unix software tends to accumulate obscure features at an astonishing rate.
- The Linux Software Map: The first place to look for Linux software is the Linux Software Map (LSM), maintained by Lars Wirzenius (lars.wirzenius@helsinki.fi ). It's a collection of lsm entries which are supplied by people who submit files to the primary Linux archives (sunsite.unc.edu and tsx-11.mit.edu). The LSM includes descriptions of packages and full path names to where packages can be found on those two sites. The easiest way to search the LSM is via the World Wide Web. A number of Web search engines are available, such as siva.cshl.org/lsm/lsm.html. This site provides searching via a searchable index, which is supported by most web browsers. Another web search engine is available at harvest.cs.colorado.edu/brokers/lsm/query.html. This interface is based on forms, and not all browsers support it (though lynx, Mosaic, and Netscape all do). When a match is found, hypertext links enable the user to download the files that matched without leaving the browser. More info about the Linux Software Map can be read from the following article in the Linux Journal.
- The Sourceforge Network: The defacto space in the web to find almost all of the FOSS packages. SourceForge.net is the world's largest Open Source software development web site. SourceForge.net provides free hosting to Open Source software development projects with a centralized resource for managing projects, issues, communications, and code.
- The Linux App Finder: Find Quality Apps that Run on Linux. Linux App Finder's mission is to catalog useful GNU/Linux programs and provide a great resource to discover new apps.
- The Linux Packages Network: This site is dedicated to the the enrichment and enhancement of the Slackware Linux operating system. Right now this site is only offering Slackware packages but they have promised to expand in the near future to all major versions of Linux.
- The IceWalkers: A versatile Linux software site that will blow your mind away! Neatly categorized under various headings such as - Software Map, RPMs, Best Rated, Distributions, Howtos and many things more..
- The Linuxsoft:Quote from linuxsoft - "We are working at a Linux Software directory. Our aim is to build a comprehensive list divided into categories with full-text search. Listings and descriptions are bilingual in English and Czech. Everyone is welcome to add his/her favorite software."
- Tucows:Fast and reliabe Linux software download site mirrored through various countries and continents featuring spotlight Linux programs.
- The Linux Software ORG: This site offers Linux software based on distribution (Distros).