Linux Beginner, Please help.

**LaValva** · 10-01-2003, 02:48 PM

OK, I'm using Redhat 7.3 for this class I'm in. I'm just wondering how to install somethine. I downloaded the new flash player and GAIM, and I can't figure out how to install these things to save my life. They talk about compiling and stuff, I know it's very easy, but I can't figure it out and I'm getting very frustrated. Thanks a lot.

**serotone9** · 10-01-2003, 04:08 PM

installation generally will be different depending on whether they are .rpm or .tar.gz files.

for .rpm, go to the folder the file is in and do:

rpm -ivh filename.rpm

you can also open the file from midnight commander (type "mc" in terminal, hit <enter> on the file) and it will show you all the directories where things will be installed to, an install command, and an upgrade command. if there are "dependency" problems (packages the program needs to install), you will have to find out what you need from the error messages, download those programs, and then install them first.

for a tar.gz, go to the folder and first untar the package:

tar -zxvf filename.tar.gz

then move into the subdirectory that creates:

cd newfoldername

then read the INSTALL or README for specific instructions, but usually the commands to install are:

./configure
make
su
[enter password]
make install

for flashplayer, the command will be:

./flashplayer-installer

(i think your browser will have to be closed for that one.)

or finally, if you have apt4rpm, you can do:

# apt-get install [filename]

and that will take care of everything.

**LaValva** · 10-01-2003, 04:35 PM

Awesome, thansk for the detail. It's a tar.gz file. Thanks again!

**LaValva** · 10-02-2003, 08:14 AM

OK, well I followed those directions and the flash installer worked well, but I lost GAIM. I didn't get any errors that I saw, but I just can't find the program anywhere. I tried typing gaim, and got nothing. I hate new stuff!

**serotone9** · 10-02-2003, 10:43 AM

try something like /usr/bin/gaim, or search some other common directories (/usr/local/, /usr/share/, etc.).

if you still can't find it, open midnight commander (mc), go to Command/find file on the menu, and do a search. where it says "start at," enter / , and for filename use *gaim*. and turn off the case sensitive option, also.

or at command line you could do:
find / -iname *gaim*

mc is a pretty cool little program, though. it has lots of useful tools so it's good to get familiar with it.

anyway, when you find the path to gaim, make a link to it somewhere, or just use the path in the command line to open it. if it was installed without errors it should open just by typing gaim, though, so it seems that there might have been a problem with the install. you did:
./configure
make
make install (as root) ?

hth

**StabilityLover** · 10-05-2003, 11:05 PM

Redhat..........sigh.............
Is that a class requirement ?

If you had Debian you simply open the console (shell) type apt-get install gaim
Hit the enter key.
DONE

Debian is to Linux what cold is to beer.

**Nick_B** · 10-05-2003, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by StabilityLover
If you had Debian you simply open the console (shell) type apt-get install gaim
Hit the enter key.

'emerge gaim' is less characters....

**Vlad_M** · 10-07-2003, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by StabilityLover

Debian is to Linux what cold is to beer.

Hahahaa, brilliant mate!!!! While I don't necessarily agree, do you mind if I quote that in my sig?

**LaValva** · 10-07-2003, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by StabilityLover
Redhat..........sigh.............
Is that a class requirement ?

Yeah, the class is over now so I uninstalled. I just don't have the patience to learn a new OS right now. Way too many commands to remember for my liking. Plus I needed room for my music on the laptop

**NitricEster** · 10-08-2003, 12:09 AM

Originally posted by lavalva
Yeah, the class is over now so I uninstalled. I just don't have the patience to learn a new OS right now. Way too many commands to remember for my liking. Plus I needed room for my music on the laptop

and thus ends this little short story of why everyone plus your dog thinks Linux is to hard to figure out. And MS nut jobs cry when Linux does something that "clones" windows....maybe it does that for a good reason...

...why are we still using a keyboard today anyway? or for that matter why in the hell are they still designed around the most efficient mechanical means of doing something?...even though keyboards are not mechanical typewriters anymore?...at least that was what I was told for the reason of the layout...

http://www.cse.ogi.edu/~dylan/dvorak/dvorak.html

sometimes it's like someone went back in time...designed a wheel to be square...mass marketed it so much that it's impossble for anyone to fathom using anything else...and then came back forward in time just to laugh about it. At least that's what I would do if I had a time machine and a few eons of spare time....

**LaValva** · 10-08-2003, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by NitricEster
and thus ends this little short story of why everyone plus your dog thinks Linux is to hard to figure out. And MS nut jobs cry when Linux does something that "clones" windows....maybe it does that for a good reason...

I actually wasn't crying about anything. I just simply don't have the patience to learn a completely new operating system. I really wish I could, and maybe I will someday, but right now there are more important things to me, and I'm sorry if my lack of knowledge disapponts...

**NitricEster** · 10-09-2003, 02:32 AM

Sorry I didn't mean to imply anything about you. I was just trying to point out how/why MS is still the major player it is in the desktop world today. It's not your fault...and what OS you choose to go with isn't going to change the world or anything...

Thread: Linux Beginner, Please help.

Thread Tools

Display

Linux Beginner, Please help.

Posting Permissions