YaST Software Installer / Software Manager Usage in GNOME 3.2.1 / openSUSE 12.1

 YaST (Yet another Setup Tool) is an setup and configuration tool that can be found on various versions of openSUSE distribution.YaST can be used to configure your entire system . It can be used to
==>Setup hardware,
==>configure the network ,
==>Manage software,
==>Setup system related settings (date , language ,partitioner,backup system)
==>Setup Security(configure Firewall,User management)etc:
How To Launch YaST ?
YaST can be launched in gnome from  quick launch (Alt+F2) window using command "gnomesu /sbin/yast2" or "xdg-su -c /sbin/yast2" without quotes and then typing in admin password / passcode.
YaST can also be located in GNOME 3 desktop through "Activities" ==> "Applications" ==> "System Tools" ==> "YaST"
Launch YaST Software Manager
YaST Software Manager can be launched in gnome from  quick launch (Alt+F2) window using command "gnomesu /sbin/yast2 sw_single" or xdg-su -c "/sbin/yast2 sw_single" without quotes and then typing in admin password / passcode when prompted
YaST Software manager can also be located in GNOME 3 desktop through "Activities"(use windows key on keyboard) ==> "Applications" ==> "System Tools" ==>"Install/Remove Software". Alternatively after clicking windows key one can type "install" without quotes on the keyboard and GNOME 3 interface will instinctively bring up YaST Software Manager

Add Community Repositories using YaST

Community repositories or additional repositories are software repositories through which one can receive software updates in openSUSE system . They can easily be added to YaST  Software manager. After opening YaST Software manager  click on "Configuration" menu ==> Repositories

In the next window click "Add" button at the bottom of the window

In the next window select "Community Repositories" option and then click "Next" button on the bottom of the screen

Then the required repositories can be chosen according to ones needs.
Must Have repositories:-
==>Main Repository (OSS) or openSUSE-12.1-Oss
This serves as main repository from openSUSE for open source software
URL: http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/12.1/repo/oss
==>Main Repository (NON-OSS) or openSUSE-12.1-Non-Oss
The main, official openSUSE 12.1 repository for all the Non Open Source Software maintained by the openSUSE team. In here you can find Real Player, Opera, Java, Flash, and much more.
URL: http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/12.1/repo/non-oss
==>Main Update Repository
In this repository you find security and maintenance updates to openSUSE 12.1.
URL: http://download.opensuse.org/update/12.1/
Recommended repositories:-
==>Packman Repository
Provides 3rd party audio and video codecs . It essentially includes software that is not shipped as part of distributions
URL: http://packman.inode.at/suse/12.1/
==>libdvdcss Repository
Provides Encrypted DVD support
URL: http://opensuse-guide.org/repo/12.1/
==>openSUSE BuildService - Mozilla
Containing the latest releases of all Mozilla software, such as the popular Thunderbird (mail client), Firefox and Seamonkey (web browsers).
URL: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/mozilla/openSUSE_12.1/
==>openSUSE BuildService - Games
A collection of cool games covering genres like shoot 'em ups, flight simulators etc
URL: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/games/openSUSE_12.1/
==>openSUSE BuildService - GNOME:Apps
Updates to the GNOME software that is shipped with the distribution (backports).
URL: http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/GNOME:/Apps/openSUSE_12.1/

You may need to accept a host of disclaimers and accept / trust repository keys

Finally you can find the selected repositories in the configured repositories list

You can view as to what software or packages that are present in each of the repositories by switching to Repositories view in YaST as shown below

Configure repository using URLs
If you need additional repositories configured in your system that are maintained by members of the community then you do so very easily
After clicking on Add button as described above in the "Configured repositories" page / window one needs to select the "Specify URL" option in the Media Type dialogue window and click on the "Next"  button

Then you need to plug in the relevant URL that points to a valid repository in the dialogue window or wizard .You can optionally specify a name for the repository to serve as a reference for you needs. For example I have added the URL:http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/enzokiel/openSUSE_12.1_Update/ and gave the repository an alias as "Enzokiel".
This repository gives me packages for Sun/Oracle Jre and JDK,VUZE packages and other software.

Create a repository out of your  Local Directory
 If you have downloaded some rpms and want to install them ,then you may optionally put all the rpms / packages in single directory and make it a software repository using YaST.

You can do this by clicking on Add button as described above in the "Configured Repositories" page / window and then select the "Local Directory" option in the Media Type dialogue window and click on the "Next"  button

In the next step of the wizard you can use the browse button and locate the directory where you have saved or stored all your rpms. This directory path will then get added in the wizard.You can check the check box "Plain RPM directory" and provide an alias like "RPMS" for your reference.Thus you have created your very own software repository

You can find that all your custom repositories you have created will appear in the Repositories view in the YaST Software Manager tool.