27/04/2012

Ubuntu 12.04 & QGIS 1.9.90 installation

http://hub.qgis.org/projects/quantum-gis/wiki/Download#26-Ubuntu
The good news is after having installed Precise Pangolin, I got my Ubuntu QGIS working again and not Ver 1.7.4 but Ver. 1.9.90! Is that good or bad? I do not know as it's too early to tell but generally speaking, the latest version ought to be the best because bug fixes are incorporated there just like as in cars of the latest model. However, under Ubuntu 12.04, the Synaptic Package Manager (Read the comments below, I found out later it was my mistake) does not exist so 2 pages to go to update the Ubuntu QGIS are :
  •  http://hub.qgis.org/projects/quantum-gis/wiki/Download#Ubuntu and
  • /file system/ext/apt/sources.list in the Ubuntu operating system
It appears now (maybe, forever) there is no QGIS version for the Precise Pangolin under the Release section but it appears under the Master section so like it or not if you want it you have to go there. Just as explained in the query below, before I installed the Masters version I did try to follow the scripts under Ubuntu : with updated dependencies but that did not get 1.7.4 running and it was only after the Masters version was installed can I use QGIS again. By the way, personally I find the icons in Ver. 1.9.90 very pleasing to see. If only they could wiggle as I pass the cursor over them that would make QGIS a fun tool to use.

STEPS
1. To play safe, uninstall QGIS 1.7.4 under the Ubuntu Software Centre;
2. Under the Master section of the QGIS Download (home)page, copy "deb http://qgis.org/debian-nightly precise main" and open file system/ext/apt/sources.list/Open with Software Sources then paste script into the input box of Software Sources/Other Software/Add (Of course, you have to click "Add");
3. The second script "deb-src http://qgis.org/debian-nightly precise main" got automatically entered so don't bother, just close Software Sources.
4. Next, under the Master section of the QGIS Download (home)page, copy the first line of the repository public key "gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv 1F9ADD375CA44993" then, under the Dash Home icon in the vertical menu bar, type "terminal' and click the Terminal icon to activate it then paste the script followed by Enter (key).
5. Repeat No. 4 but copy the second repository public key script "gpg --export --armor 1F9ADD375CA44993 | sudo apt-key add -"
6. Go to the Update Manager and update for new patch files.
7. Go to the Ubuntu Software Centre and in the search box, type "qgis". You will be surprised there is no QGIS Ver 1.7.4 but you are invited to install Ver 1.9.90 ( That got me by surprise);
8. Under Dash home icon in the vertical menu bar, type "qgis" then pull the qgis icon to the vertical menu bar;
9. Click the QGIS icon and QGIS activates without any hiccup.
10. There are of course new plugins you may like to download later under Fetch Python Plugin
11. Finish.

Now before you start,  may I suggest you a few alternatives:

  • If QGIS still failed to install following the above, read the latest way to I maneged to install QGIS here.
  • An alternative step is via terminal mode provided by GOwin under comments.
It is very difficult to say if a particular version of a Master will give hiccups or not, I am sure no developers wants it but since it's in R&D mode be advised or warned whichever way you may look at it. I always say give it a try but hey if it should give problems later on there is always the stable version terminal scripts to follow so don't panic. But don't stop reading. My QGIS Lisboa version as installed here. Seriously, this is a must read! I used to use the Synaptic Package Manager because it had a feature where broken links could be repaired but looks now I have to use Ubuntu Software Centre for installation of QGIS which actually is simplier
.

32 comments:

  1. Isn't that too bleeding edge to be usable, except probably for devs? Naming problems? I'm curious.

    Why not unstable branch of ubuntugis? (https://launchpad.net/~ubuntugis/+archive/ubuntugis-unstable)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are pros and cons: The Master version may have some bugs because developers try out new features in that version, yet at the same time fix bugs of previous problems so the question is: was that previously bugged feature very important to one's particular needs? If so, to me, the Master version is the solution. By the way, I did try to install QGIS using the scripts under Ubuntu: with updated dependencies (I believe what you recommend) but Ver. 1.7.4 did not run after Precise Pangolin was installed so I did not know what else to do until the Master version came along and now my QGIS works. If we suspect there are bugs in the new version, the Open Source philosophy is to share it probably at the Users or Developers Mailing list, I am sure developers there will only be too glad to get feedbacks they hope to resolve.

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    2. Your blog is meant mostly for QGIS beginners and enthusiast (and they're really helpful) but this same group of users are more hesitant about breaking their system - which is quite likely with nightly builds (believe you me, I've gone through that) and the prudent choice is the UbuntuGIS PPA


      For Ubuntu users, who wants a newer, more stable version of QGIS that is updated every 6 months, use
      https://launchpad.net/~ubuntugis/+archive/ubuntugis-stable

      If you want more frequently updated builds that could mess up your sytem:
      https://launchpad.net/~ubuntugis/+archive/ubuntugis-unstable

      And if you're more courageous, use the debian builds recommended by Abbas. I'd like to highlight the warning from the QGIS page re Nightly builds:
      "Warning: Development versions from master are provided for some platforms in addition to the released version. 'Master' contains unreleased software that is currently being worked on. As such they are unsupported and only provided for testing purposes to early adopters to check if bugs have been resolved and that no new bugs have been introduced. At any given time it may not work, or may do bad things to your data. Use at your own risk. You have been warned!"


      In a terminal box do:
      sudo apt-get install python-software-properties
      sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntugis/ppa
      sudo apt-get update
      sudo apt-get install -y qgis

      Complete details here:Installation instructions are here: http://trac.osgeo.org/ubuntugis/wiki/UbuntuGISRepository

      Kudos to you. Keep up the good work Abbas

      Delete
    3. Firstly, I am not into programming, I just try my luck. Still, thank you very much for this very important feedback. I would have used an ubuntugis-stable version had I known one existed but QGIS download page does not even mention this so I am very glad you mentioned it here.

      Yes folks, for lazy bums like me, that terminal script above GOwin provided is Godsent.

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  2. Thanks for your guide. I followed the steps closely. QGIS is visible in Software Centre Search but when I got to open it i get the "Not Found" error. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I suspect this is because every time after I update a new Ubuntu version, I IMMEDIATELY go to the Update Manager and do an update because some apps cannot function until certain patch files have been updated. This might be because they could not meet the dateline set by Canonical and very often within the first week of release there are many patch updates, so give the update a try first before typing "qgis" in the Ubuntu Software Centre search box.

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  3. go to system package manager reload then mark all updates you can also type qgis in the search menu to make sure you have all the packages. I had the same issue because i had qgis installed but had turned it off in the package manager during the beta test. I hope this makes sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You made me jog my mind so I did a 'Synaptic Package Manager' search under the Ubuntu Software Centre and Yes! it was not installed. Rats! I must have turned it off sometime but can't remember when so re-installed it again. Thanks, I have a preference to using Synaptic Package Manager.

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  4. Well, that's still nice to try new versions, but ... what about the georeferencer extension ? ;)

    can't live without ! am going back to previous versions until bugs are fixed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well what I just found out is that the Master 1.9.90 now has become a 1.8.0. (Read my next blog) I haven't the time to test it out since I'm out of town.

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  5. Thank you Abbas. First I upgraded from Ubuntu 11.10 to 12.04 and then from QGIS 1.7.4 following your advice and I got.... QGIS 1.8.0 RC - Lisboa. It's Ok for me. Wow the QGIS Browser is nice.
    Regards from Perú
    Carlos Cerdán

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome. I have always stated whilst a GIS software is such a modular tool, its usability is dependent upon user requirement. If an OSS GIS can fill your specific needs, it should not be a problem as you and me fall in this category but to others who do not feel the same, then turn your eyes to proprietary GIS and hopefully it can but not do not complain about the price.

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  6. Thank you so much. I am Thai & I love Ubuntu with Qgis, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome. You're a Thai? In that case, we are neighbours :-D

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  7. How to install MS SQL 2008 ODBC driver in Ubuntu?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Firstly, I assume what you imply here is Ubuntu QGIS. Secondly, I am sorry but I am not familiar with ODBC. All I know is that to add a database with ODBC: select 'add vector layer'/database/ODBC/new/input name, host, database, port, username and password then test connection, if good, select OK. Best of luck.

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  8. Thanks for about installing Ubuntu. We are providing also updates with free download full version software for pc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a bit of a Ubuntu fan so I'm on your side :-D

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