I downloaded the Java 6 plugin for Ubuntu 8.10 x64 and it landed on desktop, when I try to drag it into /usr/java I get permission denied, and when I try to use terminal to move it, sudo -s. password. cd /home/default/desktop I get no such file or directory. Also I cant find the program GDebi that automates the installation of downloaded files, in add/remove it says its installed but theres no link in my applications.

well type sudo nautilus then pass word now your a super user with nautilus. copy the file to /usr/lib/ then open the folder and copy the plugin /usr/lib/java/plugin/ia64/ns7 create a link or copy to /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins if firefox does not see it copy it also to /usr/lib/firefox/plugins now star firefox and google test java and try it out. I had one in ubuntu I had to put it here. /usr/lib/firefox-3.0.5/plugins and reboot so it would create the links.
works great.
did you run the program sudo sh jre.bin etc.
now as sudo nautilus go to home the users desk top and copy it to the files I told you.

what is a desk top in linux you treat it like a folder. so you start nautilus as sudo but when you drag your just a user. as sudo navigate to /home/user-name/desktop copy cd to where ever and past or cut and paste it.

The thing that always gets me is the capital D in Desktop so I am thinking the files have to be in:
/root/Desktop or /home/default/Desktop or perhaps /home/yourUID/Desktop

your right the D is capital I should have said Desktop thx for catching that.

Pleased to have been of assistance Newbie to Newbie!