Note: I updated this article for the Lenny distro. I’m using the source repositories in the US.

Here is the most basic, stable sources.list that I’m using for Linux Debian the Lenny distro on my laptop. I edit this file by going to a Terminal as SuperUser and entering the command:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

This will bring up a text editor within your Terminal and will allow you to edit the file, since you accessed it thru SuperUser mode.

If you hose up your sources.list you can use the following entries to get you back to a stable debian lenny with the multimedia repository added in:

# Main repository for Lenny with non-free extras
deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ lenny main contrib non-free
deb-src http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ lenny main contrib non-free

# If the main repository is unavailable, I comment out the above and enable this mirror

# deb http://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/debian/ lenny main contrib non-free
# deb-src http://mirror.aarnet.edu.au/debian lenny main contrib non-free

# Security updates for stable
deb http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main contrib
deb-src http://security.debian.org/ lenny/updates main contrib

# DVD and mulimedia codecs
deb http://www.debian-multimedia.org lenny main

After editing this file and save it by using the CTRL-X to close sources.list.

Then, back at the command line I enter apt-get update to update my packages list. I also use Synaptic Package Manager, which is a cool windows interface to installing and updating packages for Linux/Debian. I use Synaptic Package Manager to do the installs and updates for the programs I use.

The only time I use the apt-get update from the command line is after hacking some new entries in my sources.list. With the command line “apt-get update” I usually get good info on what/how/why something failed. With a quick google search of any errors here, it’s easier to find relevant info that can provide a quick solution to the entries and/or package you’re trying to install.

Comment back some of your favorite repositories and/or deb packages!