0install: Screenshots

Screenshots

0launch is a small Python program. You ask it to run a program by giving it the program's full name (a web address). Zero Install does not need to be installed or run as root. It does not write to any of the traditional software directories (like /usr/bin or /usr/lib). It stores downloads in a cache directory so that you don't need to download anything twice, and programs can still be used when you are off-line.

Getting software

	Find a program you want to run on the web If it's a Zero Install program, it will give the URL to use. In this example, you would drag the ClanBomber link to your installer.
	Give the link to your installer Zero Install can be run manually (0launch URL), but it is normally invoked by another program. Some examples include: GNOME and KDE users will drag the link to their Add New Program dialog, creating a launcher on their Applications menu. ROX or Finder users will drag the link to AddApp, creating a launcher application that uses 0launch. Shell users will run the 0alias command, creating a shell short-cut.
	Confirm the keys Zero Install downloads information about the program from the given address. It checks that the information is signed using a GPG key you trust, confirming first if not. Even if you don't know about this key yet, it may provide a hint if it's in its database.
	Finding libraries The downloaded file says that ClanBomber requires various libraries (SDL, libpng, etc). Each library is identified by a web address (URL) in the same way that the main ClanBomber program was. Zero Install downloads information about them in the same way. Since they may be written by different people and be on different sites, you may be asked to confirm more keys. The window displays a dialog box showing the program and all required libraries. Click Download.
	Downloading Zero Install now downloads all the required archives (supported formats include tar.gz, tar.bz2, zip, RPM, deb and autopackage). It unpacks each one into its own directory and checks its contents against the cryptographic digest given in the (signed) feed file. If the archive has been changed since the feed was signed, the download will be rejected. If the archive hasn't been tampered with, it is stored in a cache directory (see sharing for more information) in its own subdirectory, named after the digest. This ensures that no two downloads can conflict with each other.
	Running If you used Add New Program, you should now find the game in your menu. If you used 0alias, you'll have a new shell command, etc.
	Enjoy your new software! When you run the program, Zero Install will check for updates from time-to-time and may offer to download them for you.