Install LibreOffice with RPM package

Ubuntu and Debian based operating systems are not the only flavors of Linux distros. Many use a different package manager, Redhat Package Manager, now just called RPM. This is the main package manager used in Fedora, CentOS, openSUSE, and Mandriva.

The sections of this Web page are as follows:

Download

An RPM package for LibreOffice can be downloaded the same way the DEB package is downloaded. It can be downloaded either:

  • directly from the LibreOffice Website
  • or from the RPM mirror Web page

In this sections there are different links to the download pages for the RPM package.

This is the section on the Web page for the slightly older version. At the time this screenshot was taken, it was version 6.3. If the item in the “Choose your operating system” drop-down is not set to Linux (64-bit)(rpm), select it. Then click the Download button to start the download button. Click the image to go the download page.

Click here for the RPM mirror page

The mirror page has about 70 links to different servers around the world. This takes a load off of its main servers, and these mirror Websites around the world may be faster and more reliable downloads for those who are nearest to them. Someone in Russia may be better served by a mirror in Moscow rather than one in San Fransisco, for example.

In addition to the above link, here is how the mirror Web page for the RPM package is opened:

To go to the mirror Web page, select Linux (64-bit)(rpm) in the drop-down menu of one of the two latest versions, if it’s not already the choice in the drop-down . Then click the Info link under the Download button. Click the image to go to the Download page.
  1. On the LibreOffice download page: make sure that Linux (64-bit) (rpm) is the selection in the drop-down menu for the latest or next latest version.
  2. Then click the Info link below the corresponding Download button.
Click the image to open the mirror page and scroll to the mirror section. Then, click the desired link in the mirrors section to start the download from that particular server.

Torrent

Besides directly downloading an RPM from a server, a torrent file can be downloaded that connects with users around the world who are hosting the file. This way you receive the package in bits and pieces from servers around the world.

Peer-to-peer hosting may be a faster and more reliable download.

The file can be downloaded from the LibreOffice download page or the mirror Web page. The downloaded file is a .torrent. It requires a bit torrent application to open the file and connect with hosts to receive the package.

The RPM package needs to be unzipped, like the one that is directly downloaded.

Many operating systems come with a bit torrent application installed. If it does not, one can be downloaded or installed through the software center.

From the download page:

To go to the mirror Web page, select Linux (64-bit)(rpm) in the drop-down menu of one of the two latest versions, if it’s not already the choice in the drop-down . Then click the Torrent link under the Download button to download the torrent file. Click the image to go to the Download page.
  1. Make sure that Linux (64-bit) (rpm) is the selection in the drop-down menu for the latest or next latest version.
  2. Then click the Torrent link below the corresponding Download button.

On the RPM mirror page:

  1. Click the Torrent link in the P2P section.

The download will start. If the browser is Firefox, a dialog will appear prompting the user to simply download the file or open the file with the installed torrent client. Choose one, then click OK.

Installing

The easiest way to install the downloaded DEB package is through the Terminal. There is one step that can be performed through the graphical user interface. The steps are as follows:

  1. Extract the files and folders from the packaged download.
  2. Point the Terminal at the folder where the unpacked files and folders are located.
  3. Run the installation command.

Extracting

Double clicking the downloaded RPM package will launch the default archive manager application installed on the operating system.

  1. Go to the folder where the RPM package has been downloaded.
  2. Double click it. A window launches with an Extract button in it.
  3. Click the Extract button. This launches a window where you can choose the folder in your operating system where you want to extract the folders or files in the package.
  4. Choose the folder where you want to extract the RPM files and folders to.
  5. Click the Extract button in the window.

Pointing the Terminal

Change the directory location with the Terminal. This needs to be done before entering the installation command.

  1. Launch the Terminal.
  2. Type CD and the path to the folder where the RPMS folder is located. The video demonstrates this.
    • For example cd Downloads/LibreOffice_6.4.4_Linux_x86-64_rpm/LibreOffice_6.4.4.2_Linux_x86-64_rpm/RPMS
    • If the extracted folders and files are in the Downloads folder, this will point the terminal in the RPMS folder.
  3. Press the Return or Enter key on the keyboard.

Now you are ready to run the install command.

Installation command

With the Terminal pointed at the RPMS folder, type the following command:

  • sudo yum install *.rpm

Press Enter or Return on your keyboard. The operating system login may need to be typed.