Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a software package for the computer operating system Ubuntu that allows the user to install essential software which is not already included due to legal or copyright reasons.
It is a meta-package that installs: Support for MP3 and unencrypted DVD playback Microsoft TrueType core fonts Adobe Flash plugin codecs for common audio and video files
Background
The software in this package is not included in Ubuntu by default, as Ubuntu maintainers wish to include only completely free software in out-of-the-box installations. Included packages may be closed-source, encumbered by software patents, or otherwise restricted. For example, the Adobe Flash plugin is a closed-source piece of software. Additionally, many multimedia formats such as MP3 and H.264 are patented. In countries where these patents apply, legally distributing software that use these formats may require paying licensing fees to the patent owners.
Contents The Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a metapackage and has the following dependencies:Package: ubuntu-restricted-extras in Maverick Meerkat flashplugin-installer gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mp3 gstreamer0.10-pitfdll gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse icedtea6-plugin libavcodec-extra-52 libmp4v2-0 ttf-mscorefonts-installer unrar
Starting with Ubuntu 10.10, several of these dependencies are included indirectly via another meta-package ubuntu-restricted-addons which is included by default.
Inclusion Due to the legal status of the software included in Ubuntu Restricted Extras, the package is not included by default on any Ubuntu CDs.Ubuntu repositories and ISO inclusion
See also
deb format
References