Software Center
Oreon provides a graphical Software Center, making it easy to discover, install, and manage applications without needing to use the command line.
Overview
The Oreon Software Center provides a user-friendly graphical interface for managing software on your system. It serves as a storefront, allowing you to browse, search, install, update, and remove applications easily.
Under the hood, it typically utilizes the system's package manager (dnf) and may also integrate with other packaging formats like Flatpak, offering access to a wide range of software from various sources.
Browsing and Searching
The main view of the Software Center usually presents featured applications and categories (such as Audio & Video, Graphics & Photography, Office, Developer Tools, Games, etc.). You can click on these categories to explore related software.
A prominent search bar at the top allows you to quickly find applications by typing their name or keywords related to their function. Search results update dynamically as you type.
Installing Applications
When you select an application from the browse view or search results, you are taken to its details page. This page typically shows the application's name, icon, description, screenshots, version number, license, and sometimes user reviews or ratings.
To install the application, simply click the prominent "Install" button. You will likely be prompted to enter your user password to authorize the system change. The Software Center will then download and install the application and any necessary dependencies, showing a progress indicator.
Managing Installed Applications
The Software Center usually has a dedicated section or tab labeled "Installed". This area lists all the applications currently installed on your system that are known to the package manager or integrated formats (like Flatpak).
From this list, you can select an application to view its details again or choose to remove it by clicking the "Remove" or "Uninstall" button. Again, you will likely need to provide your password to confirm the removal.
Updating Software
Keeping your system and applications up-to-date is crucial. The Software Center typically includes an "Updates" section or tab.
It automatically checks for available updates periodically and will display a list of packages (including applications and system components) that have newer versions available. You can review the updates and click an "Update All" or similar button to apply them. Individual updates might also be selectable. Password authentication is usually required for applying updates.
Software Sources / Repositories
The applications available in the Software Center come from configured software repositories. These are servers containing packages specifically built and tested for Oreon and its base distribution.
Additionally, Oreon's Software Center might be configured to use Flatpak, a universal packaging system. This often includes integration with Flathub, a large repository of Flatpak applications, significantly expanding the available software selection. Flatpak applications run in a sandboxed environment, which can enhance security.