Launchpad can be a hassle to navigate at times, so I figured I’d share a little gem with you. Every once in a while, there’s a bug in an Ubuntu package. Yes, hard to believe, but it’s true. To figure out exactly when it broke it sometimes helps to be able to install previus versions of a package to determine when the issue arose, but what if the package has been removed from the archives? Here’s the trick:
- Figure out the name of the source package. http://packages.ubuntu.com/ can help you there. The bottom of each binary package page lists — among other things — the name of the source package.
- Go to Ubuntu’s Launchpad page (remember, Launchpad is not only for Ubuntu).
- In the search field, enter the name of the source package. E.g. “firefox”.
- This gives you a list of possible matches. Select the right one.
- Find the version you’re interested in in the table and click the version number (the far right column).
- You’ll see a list of binary packages generated by this source package. On the left, there’s a box that says “Builds of sourcepackagename – version” with each of the relevant architectures’ build results. Click the architecture you’re running.
- You’ll see some info relating to the build of the package (which server built it, how long did it take, when was it done, etc.). On the right, there’s a box containing a list of the resulting binary package. Select the one, you’re looking for.
- There! At the top, there’s a download link for the deb. Mind you, you’re on your own with regard to managing dependencies.
Oh, and per request I’ve added myself to the planet. Yay!
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