How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien

If you want to install packages that you cannot directly install to your Ubuntu system, you should use the Alien Package Converter application. This program converts between the rpm, dpkg or TGZ file formats. You can take package from...
Method 1 of 3:

Install Alien Package Converter

  1. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 1How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 1
    Type the following command to the Terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard) or use copy/paste method to update your system first: sudo apt-get update (then hit Enter)
  2. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 2How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 2
    When it asks you for password, don't be confused. The password is that one, which you're using in the Login Screen. Password does not show up in the terminal when you type it. Just type your password and hit Enter. If your password was entered correctly, the action will continue.
  3. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 3How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 3
    To install Alien application to your Ubuntu operating system, you need to type following command to the Terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard) or use copy/paste method: sudo apt-get install alien (then hit Enter)
  4. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 4How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 4
    When it asks you for password, don't be confused. The password is that one, which you're using in the Login Screen. Password does not show up in the terminal when you type it. Just type your password and hit Enter. If it asks you do you want to continue, type 'Y' to your Terminal and then hit Enter.
Method 2 of 3:

Convert Desired Files

  1. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 5How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 5
    For example, if you want to convert .rpm file, download the package to your Desktop. Now, you can convert the .rpm to a .deb by using the Terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard) or use copy/paste method: cd ~/Desktop (then hit Enter)
    1. This command will change the directory to your desktop, where you have the .rpm file.
  2. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 6How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 6
    Type following command to the Terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard) or use copy/paste method: sudo alien -k apacheds-2.0.0-M11-i386.rpm (then hit Enter)
    1. To use command like is: sudo alien -k name.rpm (which will convert your .rpm package to .deb package) you need to replace 'name' with the name of your desired package. My is: apacheds-2.0.0-M11-i386.rpm.
  3. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 7How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 7
    When it asks you for password, don't be confused. The password is that one, which you're using in the Login Screen. Password does not show up in the terminal when you type it. Just type your password and hit Enter. If your password was entered correctly, the action will continue.
Method 3 of 3:

Finishing

  1. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 8How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 8
    Now, on your Desktop screen you should see that you have converted .rpm to .deb package file.
  2. How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 9How to Convert Package Files in Ubuntu Using Alien Picture 9
    You can install your package using this command in Terminal: sudo dpkg -i name.deb (replace 'name' with the name of your desired package) or by using Ubuntu Software Center.
  3. Read the Alien mainpage for more details. How to convert other kinds of packages.
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