Trying latest epiphany/WebKit in Ubuntu

Even though I’ll be stating the obvious for so many ubuntu users/developers reading this post, I’d like to post a quick recipe for those who don’t know how to easily install the latest version of epiphany with the WebKit backend, as well as all the needed dependencies, without having to mess with compiling the source code (which is not always an easy nor a quick task, by the way).

So here we go

  1. First of all, this only works for Ubuntu Jaunty or Karmic, since there are no PPAs available for previous distros to install Epiphany (WebKit PPAs provided since Hardy).
  2. Add the PPA’s from the WebKit Team both for installing latest version of WebKit and Epiphany. So, that is, add the following lines to your /etc/apt/sources.listfile (replace ‘karmic’ with ‘jaunty’ if needed):
    deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/ppa/ubuntu karmic main
    deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/ppa/ubuntu karmic main 
    
    deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/epiphany/ubuntu karmic main
    deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/webkit-team/epiphany/ubuntu karmic main
  3. Import the GPG key of the repo in APT:
    sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 2D9A3C5B
  4. Update APT packages cache:
    sudo apt-get update
  5. Install the needed packages:
    sudo apt-get install epiphany-browser epiphany-browser-dataepiphany-extensions
  6. Just wait and let APT to do its magic :-)

And that’s all. After those simple steps you should be enjoying the last version of  this great and amazingly fast browser (2.29.6 at the time of writing this post), which is nowadays under heavy development, continuously getting better, better and even better on its roadmap towards GNOME 2.30.

So, what are you waiting for? Just go ahead and give it a try if you haven’t done it yet and make it your default browser ;-). Now you don’t have to manually compile all the needed stuff you just don’t have any good excuse not to do it.

And don’t forget to report any issue you find in the bugzilla. Remember feedback (and patches, of course) is the best way to help with improving it even more!

Ah! by the way, almost forgot to say that…

I’m attending FOSDEM

…as another member of the Igalia gang hanging around there this weekend.

See you there guys!

[Update 2010/01/04] As commented by zerwas, there’s an even easier way from Karmic on:

  1. Add the PPA’s from the WebKit Team both for installing latest version of WebKit and Epiphany:
    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webkit-team/ppa
    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webkit-team/epiphany
  2. Update APT packages cache:
    sudo apt-get update
  3. Install the needed packages:
    sudo apt-get install epiphany-browser epiphany-browser-dataepiphany-extensions

16 thoughts on “Trying latest epiphany/WebKit in Ubuntu

  1. zerwas

    Instructions for Ubuntu 9.10:

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webkit-team/ppa
    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webkit-team/epiphany
    sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install epiphany-browser epiphany-browser-dataepiphany-extensions

  2. mario

    Thanks for your comment, zerwas, even though I was using ubuntu since 4.10 I tend to forget very often the “Ubuntu way” of doing some things and tend to do it more complicated :-)

  3. Torben

    I wish there would be a full featured Adblocker. I want to play fair and therefore I deacivate Adblock Plus in Firefox on most sites (sad enough it lacks a blacklisting mode instead of whitelisting). Only if PopUps or Sounds come in my way, I block the pest in self defense.

  4. adel

    I don’t understand what the hell are you doing!!! you have all elements to build the best browser for gnome, what held you back? today, at this age, all of you, still can’t build fine browser?

  5. mike

    @mario: yeah, when talking about easy, maybe you should update your post with zerwas’ instructions ;)

  6. mike

    when “activating” pop-up windows, you can’t deactivate them? ;)

    well, anyway, I will stick with Chrome for now (so I don’t have to move 50+ tabs :D), which isn’t perfect either, but damn fast and I have to admit, that I prefer its slick interface, even though it doesn’t look like a GTK/GNOME app.

    will keep the PPA to watch your efforts though. Best of luck :)

  7. adel

    mike: Edit > Actions == crash… every time

    and what that boring default interface?

    why do you have to use gtk tabs for browser tabs? can’t you build custom widget so I can see and easy access all opened tabs?

    why “killall epiphany-browser” is the only way I have to save session?

    just take a look at what cool kids doing nowadays and learn

  8. mario

    @mike: post updated with zerwas instructions. Good point

    @Torben, @adel, @mike, @ethana2: Thanks for your comments. Obviously Epiphany 2.29 is not an stable release yet (just the last release from the repository, on its way towards 2.30) at all and still needs to be improved (as any other piece of software) a lot… and the way for getting that is obviously working hard but also giving feedback, so please check if your issues are already filed in bugzilla and report them in case they’re not.

    Actually that was the second side of my intentions with this post, to push people forward to try it, and hopefully report issues, as you did :-)

    Thanks!

  9. Dave Morley

    There is an alternative method to install the ppa which may be of interest to new users.

    Goto System->Administration->Software Sources.
    Click on the other software tab.
    Click on add.
    Type in ppa:webkit-team
    Click on add source.

    Repeat but with ppa:webkit-team/epiphany

    Click on close that will reload the the repository list and include the keys. You can use this method for any ppa’s registered on launchpad.

  10. Paul

    @adel: “and what that boring default interface?

    why do you have to use gtk tabs for browser tabs? can’t you build custom widget so I can see and easy access all opened tabs?”

    yeah lets have every app look different, that’ll look nice, fantastic idea. facepalm.

  11. DanD

    +1 to Paul! Used to love Epiphany for it’s simplicity. It had just enough extensions to make it palatable. Take some hits from Chrome and restore Epiphany to glory.

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