First... I need to say that I don't mind trying to figure something out myself before asking for help. In fact, I have done that for the past three days now. Reading, and reading and reading so many threads, and web sites, and even rants.
I'm trying to figure out how to get DVDs to play on my SuSe 10 system. I've downloaded the MPlayer and tried to install it. Here is what I got for a reply:

Failed dependencies:
w32codec-all is needed by MPLayer-1.Opre7try3-4
libmad.so.0 is needed by MPLayer-1.Opre7try3-4
libmp3lame.so.0 is needed by MPLayer-1.Opre7try3-4
libx264.so.45 is needed by MPLayer-1.Opre7try3-4
libxvidcore.so.4 is needed by MPLayer-1.Opre7try3-4

What does all that mean? Where do I get these files? (they are files aren't they?) How do I install them? Where do I install them? Do I install them before I try to install MPlayer? If I install them and try to install MPlayer again, will I need to install yet again more files?

All I want to do is play DVDs...you know, watch a movie on my computer.

Is there a link, a thread, some easy to follow instructions where I can read them, and follow them. Kind of like assemblying a tool.... you know..... attach part A to part B. Now attach part AB to assembly C. something like that.

thanks

I forgot to mention that after all the above mentioned session I found this libdvdcss thing mentioned, so I downloaded it, as a gtar file. I unziped it, then un-tar'd it (whatever that means) and so.... now what do I do with it?

I've been looking at this Kaffeine program that I have with Suse 10, and it says that I'm missing this libdvdcss file, and because of that I won't be able to play commercial DVDs. But hey! I do have this libdvdcss file on my computer now...... I just don't know where to put it so that Kaffeine, or MPlayer, or whatever other program can actually utilize it to allow them to play DVDs.

like I said, I don't mind trying.... just need a shove in the right direction once in a while.

again thanks

Seems Suse and DVDs is a constant complaint.
Hit the search button above with "libdvdcss and Suse" - shouldn't take long to find an answer.

I don't do Suse due to bad experience in the past, so can't help specifically.

the easiest way (not the quickest way) is to install apt for suse.

download this http://linux01.gwdg.de/~scorot/install-apt4suse.rpm
and install(click on it from within konqueror)
then in a terminal, as root, enter "install-apt4suse" then "apt update" then "apt install synaptic"

now you will have a 'synaptic' entry in the k-menu, run that, find mplayer and install.

you can also and repositories to yast but it's a pain( every directory needs a separate entry)

If you check the SuSE distro forum for repositories, you'll find that there are repositories that you can add to Yast that will allow you to download and install all of these codecs automatically.

The libdvdcss that you downloaded is most likely the source file. You'll need to compile and install it in order to use it. It's a simple "./configure && make && make install" but knowing how squirrely SuSE can be, best to use the repositories.

You will want to use the Packman repository > http://packman.links2linux.org/ - it has all the packages you will need for this. You can search for the packages at the site.

thanks all for the tips. I have it working now.

I don't think it's a SuSe problem at all, (as suggested above). The problem was me, just now knowing what to do, and where to look for the necessary files to fix the problem.

The biggest obsticle I find, as a newbie to Linux, is that most of the advice, help, and instructions are written in a way that it is assumed that the learner (read newbie) knows already how to figure out where to install the files refered to, how to find dependent files for programs, and how to arrange them in the order necessary for the installation to work.

I understand that it's our fault actually...... because as a newbie, we want to fix something, or install something. What we're looking to do is to get things up and running, and then we'll take the time to learn about compiling RPMs and learning CLI and such. When actually the reverse should be how it's done. However, it's just our nature to want something to work now, and then when we get the system working we'll take the time to learn how to work with it, adjust it, tweak it.

Sometimes I feel that learning how to work with Linux is like working on car. Trying to get the engine working properly....someone suggests adjusting the idle; but to do that one has to be able to start the engine...but to do that, you need to go buy a part that's missing....but you can't get to the parts store because the engine won't start.
It's a learning process.

Thanks again though. Your help got me going in the right direction. Much appreciated.

Perquisitor - my sentiments exactly. But, I was given this link to read: http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Very interesting reading...

Debian is the only one distro you should use. Other systems are deviant and dangerous. When we will have to answer to god, only debian users will be saved, all the rest shall perish. So it is.

Also the bible says that enlighted LFS users are allowed to build an operating system from scratch provided it is a Debian system.

Ah, but there is a Debian spinoff called Debian From Scratch, mentioned in the latest Distrowatch Weekly. If that is not the real thing, I don't know...