Q: How do you find and install 3rd party software packages on Debathena?

Answer

You can search for packages by using the command:

aptitude search searchterm

Where searchterm is related to what you are looking for.  After you find the name of the package that you want to install, you can do so by typing:

sudo aptitude install packagename

You will then be prompted for a password. This is your Kerberos (Athena) password, not the root password.

If you are working on a cluster machine, the installation procedure needs to be repeated after each time you log in. If you have a private workstation, then the installation persists across login sessions.

If you believe a piece of software is popular enough to merit permanent installation on the cluster machines (e.g. it is required for a course), please let us know by sending mail to debathena@mit.edu.