How do I install the latest TeX Live 2012?

Ubuntu 12.04 still includes the outdated and obsolete 2009 version of TeX Live. Other than installing manually from the TeX Live website, is there any alternative to install the latest 2012 version on Ubuntu Precise 12.04?

TeX Live 2012 is available for 12.04 in an official "backports" PPA

TeX Live 2012 is scheduled for inclusion in the next Ubuntu release (Quantal 12.10). Meanwhile, Ubuntu's TeX Live maintainer, Jeremy Bicha, has created an official "backports" PPA to allow 12.04 users to easily install/upgrade to the new version.

To install/upgrade to TeX Live 2012:

1. Open a terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T

2. Add the texlive-backports PPA by typing the below (enter your password when prompted):

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:texlive-backports/ppa
   

3. Then type:

   sudo apt-get update
   

4. Installation:

   • If you are installing TeX Live for the first time, type:

     sudo apt-get install texlive
     

   • If you already have TeX Live installed and are upgrading, type:

     sudo apt-get upgrade
     

     Warning: this will also upgrade all other packages on your Ubuntu system for which upgrades are available. If you do not wish to do this, please use the previous sudo apt-get install texlive instead.

The directory listing linked on the page you linked does not show the available backports for 12.04 (precise).

In order to get the "2012 (quantal)" version of texlive, you will need to add the backport PPA.

Before adding a PPA you should be aware of some of the risks involved:

• Are PPA's safe to add to my system and what are some "red flags" to watch out for?

Always remember that PPAs are provided by the community, you should be aware of the possible risks before just adding a PPA.

From Synaptic Package Manager:

1. Select Settings --> Repositories --> Other Software --> Add and enter:

   deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/texlive-backports/ppa/ubuntu precise main
   

2. Select Add source. Next, select the Reload button on the menu to re-index your package list
3. Finally, in the Quickfilter field, enter "texlive" and you will see the 2012 versions of the packages available for installation.
4. Mark the packages that you are interested in, and click the Apply button.

From the command line (Ctrl+Alt+T), enter the following commands:

sudo apt-add-repository http://ppa.launchpad.net/texlive-backports/ppa/ubuntu
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install texlive-base

This will also install the following dependencies:

lmodern luatex texlive-binaries texlive-common texlive-doc-base texlive-luatex

I don't think I have the reputation points to comment, so I am answering in response to Alexander Schleifer above: On Ubuntu 12.04 in order for the upgrade to work, I had to use:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:texlive-backports/ppa

Not "apt-add" as the answer suggested. It didn't give me an error with "apt-add" but didn't work until I tried "add-apt."