'sudo apt-get update error', slow mirror: Ubuntu 12.04

When attempting to update the newest long term release of Ubuntu, Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, some users have experienced 'sudo apt-get update' error when trying to update. One reason for this message to appear could be that the mirror you are trying to download updates from does not serve Ubuntu 12.04 updates yet. Also some users may be experiencing unusually low download speeds of updates. This slowness has been alleviated by the ability to select the update mirror closest to your location.

apt-get: Using closest mirror

To configure apt-get to use a good mirror based on your location place the below text into the first line of /etc/apt/sources.list


deb mirror://mirrors.ubuntu.com/mirrors.txt precise main restricted universe multiverse

deb mirror://mirrors.ubuntu.com/mirrors.txt precise-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb mirror://mirrors.ubuntu.com/mirrors.txt precise-backports main restricted universe multiverse

deb mirror://mirrors.ubuntu.com/mirrors.txt precise-security main restricted universe multiverse

This should be all that is needed to get updates from the closest mirror geographically.

apt-get: Closest mirror GUI

To download packages from the best server you will need to change/update a few settings in the Ubuntu Software Center application.

1. Begin by launching the software center.

2. Select edit from the menu bar, then select Software Sources. ..