Ubuntu

Installing Chromium Web Browser (Google Chrome) in Ubuntu the right way

We have tested Chromium Web Browser in Ubuntu before and it was a huge disappointment. I was not even able to maximise the window while using Chromium .
I think that was a few months ago and after reading some encouraging reviews elsewhere, i decided to give google chrome another try in my Ubuntu machine. I was in for a huge surprise.

Chromium or the Google Chrome’s linux version has changed by a huge margin. It is no more a distant cousin of Google Chrome, but Chromium is more like Google Chrome itself now. Except some issues with enabling flash support i didn’t find any glitches at all.

And then there is a number of small things like the literally falling download button, google search within the browser main window, and some kind of turquoise blue as the default color for selections etc. that will make you fall in love with Chromium. And after all this, it is so damn light weight as well. I got to tell you folks, i was so impressed with Chromium that i may even start using Chromium as my default browser in Ubuntu 😉 ( by the way, i am writing this post from Chromium ).

Now let us take a look on how to install Chromium Web Browser in Ubuntu. There is this PPA repo dedicated to Chromium, and installing Chromium from this Chromium-daily PPA repo is the safest way to go. And you will also be able to recieve updates for Chromium in the future.

Update: Here’s how to enable flash support for Chromium Web browser in Ubuntu Linux

Adding GPG Key 

  • Goto Terminal and Copy-Paste the following. 
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 4E5E17B5
  • Done.

Add New PPA Launchpad Repo

  • Now Goto System > Administration > Software Sources and select Third-Party Software tab and click ADD. And Simply Copy-Paste the following Repo(depending on the version of Ubuntu you use).

For Ubuntu Jaunty 

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main 
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main 

For Ubuntu Intrepid 

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main 
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu intrepid main 

 For Ubuntu Hardy

 deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu hardy main 
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/chromium-daily/ppa/ubuntu hardy main 
  • Close the window and Reload when prompted to. 
  • Done.

Installing Chromium Web Browser in Ubuntulaunchpad

  • Goto Terminal and do. 
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install chromium-browser
  • Done. 

Starting Chromium Web Browser

  • Simply go to terminal and type chromium-browser.
  • OR you may want to add Chromium in the top menu in your Desktop like in the screenshot below.

Here is how it can be done. First right click on top of the menu and click on Add to panel.

Now select Custom Application Launcher from top of the menu.

 Now in the Command form type in the command to start Chromium which is, chromium-browser.

  • That is it. Start Chromium Web Browser from top menu of your desktop and you are ready to go. 🙂

PS: I haven’t tested chromium in hardy and intrepid, though i have included launchpad repo for both here. If you are an Hardy or Intrepid user try installing chromium at your own risk. And also let me quote the original warning from the owner of launchpad repo maintaining Chromium, “The PPA is maintained by a bot, so it contains completely untested builds, mostly useful to track regressions or if you are curious, or just brave.” :D. I don’t think it is that bad. Give it a try and you will know.

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