Using apt-get is quickest and easiest way to manage Debian packages in Ubuntu. However, I would sometimes like to install the latest version of a package which is not available in the Ubuntu software repository. This can be done by downloading the Debian package (.deb) and using the dpkg command (which is what apt-get uses behind the scenes).
To install a .deb file
$ dpkg -i filename.deb
Other useful option available for dpkg:
Unpacks the file but does not install it
$ dpkg –unpack
Display configuration options are available for the package
$ dpkg –configure
Removes a package
$ dpkg –remove
To display the information for filename.deb
$ dpkg-deb –show filename.deb
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