How do I open "apt" links in Firefox (in Lubuntu)?

Question

Many answers on Ask Ubuntu direct to links like this that in Xubuntu opened in Ubuntu Software Center. In Lubuntu I get this error message:

In Firefox-Preferences/Applications cannot see something resembling to apt to associate to a program etc.

Opening the same link in Chromium or Opera I get:

Clicking "I'm running Ubuntu" results in an error message like in Firefox.

What's the remedy? Can I install Ubuntu Software Center?

Solution 1

All you need to do is install the (Ubuntu) Software Center in Lubuntu.

Open a terminal, and type sudo apt-get install software-center. Then, the first time you click on a APT link in Firefox should give you the below popup, after which such links should open automatically:

---

Beside Ubuntu Software Center, a much lighter application (AptUrl) can be used to handle "apt://" protocol/links: see this answer to a related question.

Solution 2

Point the select application to:

/usr/bin/apturl

This sould solve the problem.

Don't forget to check "Remember".

Solution 3

Here is what Firefox support page says about this:

The Applications panel has limited functionality for editing. You can change the action for an existing file type but you cannot add or remove file types. Entries are added automatically when you download files and select actions for them.

However, in your case you can try modifying you ~/.mozilla/firefox/\*\*\*\*.default/mimeTypes.rdf. Here is a link to mine: http://pastebin.com/4HhX6xSE

Solution 4

I solved this issue in lubuntu 14.04 by opening the link using the path /usr/bin/apturl I changed it in my firefox preferences for future use.

View more solutions

Comments

[Admin]

use apt://skype for example and install USC - Ubuntu Software Center

[chrpes]

see my question text: In Firefox-Preferences/Applications cannot see something resembling to apt to associate to a program. now i added images. also: Can I install Ubuntu Software Center?. i guess i can, and i'll try to

[chrpes]

up-vote for your responsiveness thnx, but you see i got the simplest way. the problem was simple: Lubuntu doesn't come with Ubuntu Software Center

[ish]

Oops, sorry, didn't notice that since I was already typing :) I'm looking at the other question.

[jokerdino]

If he is on 12.04, is it not possible to use Lubuntu software-center instead?

[ish]

LSC does not support the apt handler. (notice there are no MimeType lines in lsc.desktop)

[NoBugs]

Considering that Ubuntu 13.10 software center doesn't have this functionality anymore by default, I doubt this will work.

[Zac]

Use the command sudo apt install apturl-common to install the apturl tool if not already installed, then reload the apt: page

[Yan King Yin]

I cannot change the apt link association once it's fixed... any idea?

[Yan King Yin]

I cannot change the apt link association once I clicked "remember", any idea how to undo it???