In most Linux distributions, Mint included, software is distributed by repositories. As mentioned earlier, one of the most distinctive differences between one distribution and another is the format of the available software packages and the way they are installed. Typically, packages are changed and then placed into a repository. By default, a distribution would ship with the default set of repositories allowing you to install new packages right away. For most users, the default repositories are all that's needed. However, over time, you may find that you want to use a software package but you're unable to find it while searching for the package in the Synaptic Package Manager or Software Manager. This could simply mean that you mistyped the name of the package while searching, but most commonly it means that the package may not be available in the repository.

One example of this is Google's web browser, Chrome. If Chrome is a web browser you like to use and you...