Difficulty installing/running Syncthing v.11.5 on Ubuntu 14.04

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1

I’m not a complete Ubuntu newbie, but I feel like one now and I hope someone can help.

I realize that there are debian / Ubuntu packages. I try to add the PGP key, by typing this in terminal:

$ curl -s https://syncthing.net/release-key.txt | apt-key add -

And just gives me back: ERROR: This command can only be used by root.

So, I type this in terminal: $ sudo curl -s https://syncthing.net/release-key.txt | apt-key add -

And terminal comes back with the same thing: ERROR: This command can only be used by root.

So, I decided to just download the linux build from github: syncthing-linux-amd64-v0.11.5.tar.gz

I download it, extract it try typing “syncthing” in terminal – nothing.

I navigate to the directory in which I extracted and trying again typing “syncthing” in terminal – still nothing.

I love the idea of Syncthing, would love it get it up and running, but I feel very lost like I’m doing a lot wrong.

Is there anyway to get Syncthing v.11.5 on Ubuntu 14.04?

2

I think you have to use $ curl -s https://syncthing.net/release-key.txt | sudo apt-key add -, but I’m not linux guru either. Or you can log in as root (use su, don’t forget to exit when you done).

This is probably because syncthing is not in your PATH.

You have to use ./syncthing.

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3

You’re just a little bit lost, and doing no harm to your computer, so far. :smiley:

Please don’t use root, it’s just asking for trouble if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.

I recommend using Syncthing-GTK: GitHub - kozec/syncthing-gtk: GTK3 & python based GUI for Syncthing This way you can use Syncthing on your desktop and it will install and update Syncthing Core for you, you don’t have to install it manually if you’re using Syncthing-GTK.

Let me know if you need help installing Syncthing-GTK. :wink:

However if you want to install syncthing manually, follow the steps below.

Please run the following command in Terminal for step 1 of install Syncthing:

curl -s https://syncthing.net/release-key.txt | sudo apt-key add -

You’ll notice the sudo has been added before apt-key. Run the above command in Terminal and type in your password. This will add the release key to your computer.

Then run the following commands in Terminal for step 2 of install Syncthing:

echo "deb http://apt.syncthing.net/ syncthing release" >/tmp/syncthing.list

sudo cp /tmp/syncthing.list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/

The above 2 commands add the syncthing repository so that your computer knows where to get Syncthing from.

Now update apt:

sudo apt-get update

And then install syncthing:

sudo apt-get install syncthing

And you’re done.

Run syncthing from command line syncthing or go to /usr/bin in Files browser and double click syncthing to launch.

Go to http://127.0.0.1:8384 in your web browser to see the Syncthing dashboard.

You’ll need to setup a script to auto-start Syncthing when you turn on your computer. However, Syncthing-GTK has all these settings and more in a very nice user interface, so I recommend using it instead.

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4

Sounds good to me!

Thank you very much for your kindness. A little guidance on installing Syncthing-GTK would be wonderful.

5

Sure. As you can see on the syncthing-gtk github, there are Ubuntu .deb packages available from the WebUpd8 PPA.

So, first add the PPA. Run this command in Terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8

Type in your password, and follow the instructions to add the repository.

Then update apt by running:

sudo apt-get update

Now you can install syncthing-gtk by running:

sudo apt-get install syncthing-gtk

Again follow the instructions in the Terminal to complete installation.

When completed, you can launch Syncthing-GTK however you normally launch applications… perhaps the Dash, or Applications Menu.

Once you’ve started Syncthing-GTK it will run the First Run Wizard to configure Syncthing on your computer. It will download and install Syncthing Core for you.

There are lots of options available, such as launching Syncthing automatically on login, or Files browser integrations (right-click to share with Syncthing)

Once Syncthing is configured and running correctly, you can add folders to share!

Let me know if you have questions or if anything is unclear. Good luck!

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6

Wow! All is clear! How simple and efficient! I’m up and running – tremendous thanks!!

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7

Hi, I’ve installed syncthing-gtk with the ppa on my new linux mint machine - awesome thx. I’ve set it up to autostart, but unfortunately that means, the whole application including the main window is shown at startup. Is there any command line argument which I could set, so that it would start with only the tray icon visible?

Thank you!