Getting started (Mandrake 9.2)
 

Hello!

I am a total newbie at Linux, I have earlier tried Red Hat 8.0 but ended up formatting my drive after 5 days of hair ripping.

Ever since I heard of the user friendly distro's I've wanted to replace windows.

yesterday I installed Mandrake 9.2 and got most of the essential things to work.

However I have one big obstacle in my way and that is that I don't have a clue how to install thirdpart software, for example Ventrilo.

Downloaded the Ventrilo for Linux files and they were "tarred" (or what its called) I created a new folder where I put all the files within the tar-archive.

How do I install or run these files in Linux?

I mean there is no ms .exe I know that but how do I start/install programs?


I know this must be a laugh to you experienced Linux users but I will be too one day. :)

Thanks in advance for all help I can get.

usually tar files require you to compile them from source. which you would need a compiler to do. if your compiler is installed you can right click on the zip file and extract in subfolder, then you can go to the command line, cd to the subdirectory and type:

1. ./configure

2. make

3. make install

it really depends....you can find the downloaded .tar file using the GUI and double click on it, and extract it that way, or you can use the following command at the command prompt and extract it. whichever way you feel more comfortable with really.

tar -zxfv my_tar_filename

make sure you navigate to the directory where the .tar file is located however. also running this command will extract the file in the directory you are currently in.


TT

hope it helps

:study:

But make sure to read any README.* and INSTALL files!

Hi, welcome to LinuxQuestions,

"man tar" will tell you all about tar archives and how to open them. It might seem daunting at first, but you don't have to read everything just scan down through it and pick out the bits you need.

tar -xvf <archive>, or maybe tar -xzvf <archive>, will open it for you, but read the man page anyway and look for the -z, -x, -v and -f switches.

Once you've opened the archive, look for a file with "readme" in the name and make like Alice in Wonderland. Usually there's a program called install, but sometimes extracting the archive is all you need to do - but you might have to extract it in a specific place. The readme file will help you out.

And if you get stuck, search the LinuxQuestions.org website, search google, and then post here.

John

Thanks for all help!

I've managed to unzip the necessary files into the folder which is stated default in the readme (the readne doesn't say much but only an example of starting the program via the command line), but then what? how do I "start" the program, I've tried the run applicaion button and browsed to the file i know starts the program but somehow I must get the .ini file to start with the program.. Because the program log says it can't find the ini-file (which is in the same folder as the startfile)

Additional questions:


1. Is there some sort of automake/autoinstall program that can handle all the parameters and lines I need to install/run other programs for me until I get the hang of it?

2. What is the "-f" parameter and the "-d" when and were should I use them?

3. If I would like to use WineX via the CSV how do I compile it into a program (or is it called package?) Or is there some other application ready to use which does the same thing as WineX?


Once again thanx for all help!

If you can find a .rpm file of the program you want to install, it's much easier.
RPM. is kinda like the .exe files but a lot more powerful.
I know Ventrilo only offers tarballs but, for other programs, I'd suggest you look for .rpm