This might come in handy if you got many machines to install applications or if you want to backup the packages you downloaded using apt, synaptic or any other any .deb package.

This is a nice piece of software called APTonCD, which is very simple to use, even for a user without much technical knowledge. All it does is, create a CD or an ISO image from the packages you downloaded.

APTOnCD logo

You can get APTonCD from the sourceforge.net or if you have an internet connection, downloaded it from an Ubuntu repository.

First yo have to make sure that you have enabled the necessary repositories .To do that go to System->Administration -> Software Sources. Then you’ll get the following window. You’ll need only the top 2 to be selected; however I have enabled the last 2 repos also.

Software Sources

Then you can download and install it from the repos. If you go to Applications -> Add/Remove. Then you’ll get a window like follows. In the search text box, enter the word “aptoncd”. Then after few OKs, APTonCD will be installed in your machine.

Add/Remove Appliations

To install you can use synaptic or invoke the following two command in a terminal.

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To start APTonCD, go to System->Preferrences->APTonCD.

aptoncd Create

You’ll get two options, (see the figure above). First step is to create a CD or an ISO image. So click on Create APTonCD.

aptoncd Proogress

APTonCd scans the packages available.

Then it’ll list all the downloaded packages (see the figure bellow). You can then select which packed should go to the backup CD. Additionally, you can add any debs by clicking on Add Package. Then you have to select a destination directory. The default would be your home directory.

aptoncd Package List

Clicking ok is the final step of creating the repository.

You can burn this ISO image to a CD and put it in the destination machine. If you have APTonCD there, restoring is easier then backing up. Under the Restore tab, you have all the options you need (see the figure bellow).

aptoncd Restore

If you do not have APTonCD in other PCs, use $sudo apt-cdrom add command to add the CDROM to the source list or use the graphical Software sources program to add the CDROM and then use Add/Remove or Synaptic to install the packages on the CD.

Dharshin