Ubuntu is my usual desktop and has been since version 4.1 came out. That’s not any slight towards Windows, I do keep a Windows box around for specialty tasks like video editing. I just like Ubuntu better because it’s awesome for customization and automation and my PCs running it stay fast and agile.

Two trends conspired to give Ubuntu wider reach in the OS market and that was the relative unpopularity of Windows Vista and the trend toward cloud services. In many ways your browser has become more than a software tool for rendering pages, it’s become a portal to your online working world.

That trend toward the browser as a platform instead of an app also unleashed the Android floodgates as the underlying OS was no longer as relevant to your online experience. Suddenly tablets and smartphones were no longer just a convenient device for killing a few minutes in the airport lounge or the doctor’s waiting room, they were production tools that became valuable necessities to the working world.

When I hear people talk about Ubuntu, sometimes I’ll hear people say things like they like it, but don’t want to be limited to using Firefox. I think what they’re really saying is they like Chrome better and need the integration with Google apps and services and installing software on Ubuntu, or any Linux platform for that matter, can sometimes be a little intimidating to figure out.

A lot of howto articles start out with “Open a terminal….” and there goes half the audience. So, I’m going to show you an easy way to install Chrome and you won’t need to open a terminal window at all.

Step 1 – Download Chrome

Go to Google’s Chrome download page and you should notice they already know you’re using Ubuntu, though on the next page you will need to know whether your computer is 32 or 64 bit. If it’s relatively new, it’s probably 64 bit.

Accept the terms and you’ll notice the download dialog that asks where to put the .deb file. Deb files are the packaging Ubuntu uses to make sure that applications come with all the other programs, called dependencies, they need to run properly. It’s all automatic so you don’t have to chase down obscure programs from strange websites.

Download the deb file to your Desktop or Downloads directory, I find it’s easier to use the Desktop.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2 – Launch The Ubuntu Installer

Right click on the deb file and you’ll see a long menu appear. At the top it says Open With Ubuntu Software Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3 – Click “Install”

Your Ubuntu Software Center will open and all you have to do is click the Install button over to the right.

And that’s it. See, that was easy, right? No terminal windows, no long commands, no downloading strange programs and trying to figure out where they’re supposed to go.

Now you’re all set to rock on Chrome and enjoy not only your online productivity apps but you can also manage all your must-have android apps right in the same interface! Now you’re making Ubuntu do some seriously cool tricks.

Technology is a blast when everything works right. Have fun.