users should be able to install applications by downloading a shortcut to Synaptic

This is a wish-list item, request-for-comment, or whatnot.

I often read on forums that users find it "simple" and "easy" in Windows to be able to download an application installer and then just run it to install the program. This is somehow seen as easier and more straight-forward than loading up Synaptic, even though it is not as safe. Similarly on OS X, users can download dmg files, mount them with a click and then drag an application where they want it. This is also often seen as easier than launching Synaptic an searching for a program.

I was thinking that it might be beneficial to allow people to put small files on websites which, when downloaded and double-clicked, would instruct Synaptic to install a particular package. Synaptic would download the actual application from the repository, so there would be no problems with distribution of debs. Synaptic could support this by generating these files which developers and users could post anywhere on the web. When recommending a program to someone, these shortcuts would be the easiest way to send a "link" to someone. It would provide an easy shortcut instead of making the user search through the repository him/herself.

For instance, a user would visit a website for a particular application. The application developer could have, in addition to the Windows installer and the OS X dmg file, a Ubuntu Synaptic file. The user then simply chooses the Ubuntu Synaptic file, which he then double-clicks, and the application begins to install seamlessly. Ideally, an icon would then appear right on the desktop or on the panel, so it will be obvious how to launch the new application.

This would be exactly equivalent to the user searching the repository using Synaptic and choosing to install the application, except easier. It would also provide a kind of psycological closure -- the user can be sure that what he installed is what he was reading about on the web site. I believe this would help dispell a lot of criticism about the difficulty of installing software on Ubuntu. (Which is silly, of course.)