Accessing and reading Wikipedia content directly from your desktop can be incredibly convenient, especially for research and quick information lookup. The Wikipedia reader application offers several key features:
- Offline Access: Browse Wikipedia articles without an internet connection.
- Search Functionality: Quickly find specific articles and topics.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy navigation with a clean and simple design.
- Bookmarking: Save your favorite articles for quick access later.
- Multilingual Support: Access Wikipedia content in various languages.
If you want to install a Wikipedia reader on your Ubuntu system, follow this simple guide tailored for Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 LTS distributions. You can choose one of the following command-line methods:
- Launchpad PPA: Preferred for users seeking the latest updates directly from the package maintainer.
- Flatpak with Flathub: Offers a more sandboxed approach to installing applications, ensuring compatibility across various Linux distributions.
- Snapcraft: Aimed at providing secure and isolated software packages, often maintained directly by the software’s authors.
With the introduction out of the way, let’s explore how to install a Wikipedia reader on your Ubuntu distribution utilizing the command-line terminal.
Method 1: Install Wike with LaunchPAD PPA
Update Ubuntu Before Wike Installation
Before we begin the installation process, ensuring your Ubuntu system is up-to-date is essential. This will help avoid potential issues during the installation and ensure your system runs smoothly. To do this, open your terminal and enter the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeImport Wike LaunchPAD PPA
The recommended method for installing Wike is importing the LaunchPAD PPA maintained by Archisman Panigrahi. This will provide you with the latest stable release, features, and improvements.
First, install the required dependencies on your system. Enter the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt install software-properties-common apt-transport-https -yNext, import either the stable or daily build PPAs. If you import both, the system automatically selects the repository with the newest version, likely the development build.
Import Wike Stable PPA (Recommended):
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apandada1/wike -yImport Wike Daily Builds PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apandada1/wike-daily -yRefresh Packages List After Wike PPA Import
Now that you’ve imported the desired PPA, it’s time to update the packages list to reflect the new changes. Run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt updateInstall Wike via APT Command
With the packages list updated, you’re now ready to install Wike. Enter the following command in your terminal to start the installation process:
sudo apt install wikeMethod 2: Install Wike via Flatpak and Flathub
This section explores an alternative method for installing Wike through the Flatpak package manager. Like Snap, Flatpak is a popular third-party installation package manager in many Linux distributions, providing access to the latest packages.
Note: If your system does not have Flatpak installed, please refer to our guide on How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.
Enable Flathub For Wike
Before installing Wike through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, a primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThis command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to various applications, including Wike.
Install Wike on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command
With Flathub enabled, you can now install Wike using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:
flatpak install flathub com.github.hugolabe.Wike -yMethod 3: Install Wike via Snapcraft
The third method we will be covering is installing Wike with Snapcraft. Snap is an uncomplicated system for managing and installing software on Ubuntu, making setting up applications like Wike straightforward.
Ensure Snap is Installed on Your Ubuntu System
For those systems without Snap pre-installed, you can swiftly install it using the command given below:
sudo apt install snapd -yInstall the Core Snap
Before you install Wike, having the ‘core’ snap is beneficial. The ‘core’ snap is essential as it provides the fundamental libraries and services for all Snap applications, ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently. Install it with the command:
sudo snap install coreInstall Wike via Snap Command
With the core snap, you are all set to install Wike. Execute the following command to initiate the installation:
sudo snap install wikeLaunch Wike Wikipedia Reader via GUI or CLI Methods
Now that you have successfully installed Wike, it’s time to launch the application and enjoy a seamless Wikipedia browsing experience. Depending on your preferences and installation method, there are several ways to open Wike.
CLI Methods to Launch Wike on Ubuntu
If you have an open command terminal and would like to launch Wike immediately, you can enter the following command that matches your installation method:
APT Wike Installations run command:
wikeFlatpak Wike Installations run command:
flatpak run com.github.hugolabe.WikeSnap Wike Installations run command:
snap run wikeGUI Method to Launch Wike on Ubuntu
Most desktop users may prefer to launch Wike using the application icon. To do this, navigate through the following path on your desktop:
Activities > Show Applications > Wike
Additional Wike Commands
This section will discuss managing Wike on your Ubuntu Linux system, including updating and removing the application.
Update Wike
APT Wike Update Command Method:
Open your terminal and run the following command to update your package list.
sudo apt upgradeNow, upgrade your packages, including Wike, with the following command:
sudo apt upgradeFlatpak Wike Update Command Method:
To update all Flatpak packages, including Wike, run the following command in your terminal:
flatpak updateSnap Wike Update Command Method:
Snapcraft installations similar to Flatpak need to run one command to check for updates for Wike and any other Snap-installed software:
snap refreshRemove Wike
If you decide to remove Wike from your system, follow these steps based on your installation method:
APT Remove Method Commands For Wike
Run the following command to remove Wike from your system.
sudo apt remove wike If you have no intention of re-installing Wike, you should remove the PPAs.
Stable PPA Removal Command:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:apandada1/wike -yDaily PPA Removal Command:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:apandada1/wike-daily -yFlatpak Remove Method Command For Wike
To remove Wike installed via Flatpak, execute the following command in your terminal:
flatpak uninstall com.github.jakubsteplowski.wikeSnap Remove Method Command For Wike
To remove Wike installed via Snap, use the following command:
sudo snap remove wikeConclusion
This guide has walked you through installing the Wikipedia reader on Ubuntu, detailing key features and installation methods. We’ve covered how to set it up using Launchpad PPA, Flatpak, or Snapcraft, and provided tips for getting the most out of the application. As a final recommendation, explore the settings to personalize your experience for a smoother reading journey. Happy reading!