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ubuntu-restricted-extras facts for kids
| Developer(s) | various |
|---|---|
| Stable release |
67
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| Operating system | Ubuntu (Linux) |
| Platform | Ubuntu (Linux) |
| Available in | English |
| License | Various (Ubuntu MOTU Developers) |
Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a special collection of software for the Ubuntu computer system. It helps users install important programs that are not included with Ubuntu by default. These programs are often left out because of legal rules or copyright issues.
This package is like a bundle that installs several useful things:
- It lets you play MP3 music files.
- It helps you watch unencrypted DVDs.
- It adds special fonts from Microsoft, called Microsoft TrueType core fonts.
- It includes the Adobe Flash plugin, which was once used for playing videos and games online.
- It provides codecs. Codecs are small programs that help your computer understand and play many different audio and video files.
Contents
Why Are These Extras Separate?
The software in the Ubuntu Restricted Extras package is not part of Ubuntu when you first install it. This is because the people who create Ubuntu want to include only completely free software. Free software means you can use it, change it, and share it freely.
Some programs in this package are not free. They might be "closed-source," meaning their code is secret. Others might have "software patents." A patent is a legal right that gives someone control over an invention. For example, playing MP3 music or H.264 videos often requires paying fees to the patent owners. Because of these rules, Ubuntu cannot include them directly.
What's Inside the Extras Package?
The Ubuntu Restricted Extras package is a "metapackage." This means it does not contain the actual programs itself. Instead, it tells your computer to download and install other necessary software.
Some of the main parts it helps you get are:
- The Flash plugin installer.
- Various "gstreamer" plugins. These are the codecs that help play different types of audio and video files.
- The Microsoft core fonts installer.
- A program called "unrar" for opening certain compressed files.
Since Ubuntu version 10.10, some of these parts are also included through another package called ubuntu-restricted-addons. This package is usually installed by default.
How Are These Extras Included?
Because of the legal rules about the software in Ubuntu Restricted Extras, this package is not put on the main Ubuntu installation CDs. Users need to choose to install it themselves after setting up Ubuntu. This ensures that Ubuntu itself only distributes free and open-source software.