klik - An Easy Way to Check Out Linux Software
24 May 2006While perusing a Linux forum yesterday, I found an interesting capability for Linux called klik. By following some simple install instructions (wget klik.atekon/client/install -O - | sh) you can install klik. Then you use the klik software to access the klik website where you can select a 'package' to download. The package is actually an image file that contains all of the necessary software to run the program. But, it is downloaded and installed as a single file, which you can execute using the klik software. The downlod and execution is much like a Windows download and install. It's a nice way to try software before installing it.
Although the concept is great, I did find that it didn't work in all cases for me and I had a couple of problems getting the basics of klik to work. When I tried to install klik as root, it didn't work. I think it was looking for certain files connected to a browser, but can't be sure because the error messages were pretty cryptic. But, I had no problems installing klik as a 'normal' user and then it seemed to work fine. I was able to download packages and try them on my system. The packages are all stored as a single .cmg file in /home/user/desktop so it's real easy to delete them when you want to get rid of them.
Another feature is that klik automatically inserts the programs that it 'installs' in the Kmenu so you don't have to go looking for them. As I said, it's clearly patterned after a Windows install. I had a problem with one app that needed to be run as Root. But, it was easy enough to open the menu editor, find the path to the klik app and open that user the Run as Root command. I also noticed that klik automatically creates desktop icons for each program that it installs. Again, very similar to a Windows install.
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