I'm trying to install empathy.

Current version has to be installed from source, but needs a list of things that have to be installed one by one. Previous version is in repository, but blinks (opens, then right after that, closes). Previous version of the previous version:

• apt-cache search -showpkg empathy shows general empathy information and a telepathy too, but not the rpm file name
• taking the rpm file name from a Google search result, apt-get install package=empathy-2.30.1-2pclos2010 says package package (twice, really) not found
• installing apturl, clicking the rpm file link, opening it with apturl, installation gui starts, but fails
• opening the rpm file with Synaptic doesn't work
• opening the rpm file with /usr/bin/apt-get doesn't work

What now?