I've read a bunch of threads on this before but I can't quite get a straight answer... I know it depends on how you installed the software to begin with (rpm or source...)

rpm: If I understand correctly there is a command of some kind?

source: I can use "make uninstall" if I have the source files still, and even then it depends on the program? What if I don't have the source files? Is there some way to get rid of software cleanly? (ie: not just deleting it. or is that okay? I remember in Win that was pretty much the wrong thing to do)

thanks in advance

rpm -e filename.rpm
Since you're using Mandrake, you can go to the mandrake control center (or just type mcc in the konsole) and go to SOFTWARE, and then ADD/REMOVE RPM and select from a list.

I just pretty much delete the directory and files if there is no 'make uninstall'. Even if the program you compiled copied some files elsewhere, it wouldn't do anything. It would just sit in some other directory taking up space. But if you're like me and has a 120 GB hard drive, who cares? lololololololololololololololololololololololololololollolo

This has been answered many times:

rpm: rpm -e package

source: rm -rf /path/to/install

If you installed via an rpm, its easy to uninstall. First, you need to find the exact package name. To do this use the follwoing:

rpm -qa part_of_package_name

for instance, if you wanted to uninstall mplayer, you'd first do:

rpm -qa mplayer

then, it will return the entire package name of that program. Let's say it returns...

mplayer.1.2.3.4.rpm

then you use the following command:

rpm -e mplayer.1.2.3.4.rpm

and you're all set.

I can't help you with the packages you've installed from source, as I've not yet had to do this. Sorry....

Good luck...

Read man rpm that will tell you all about the uninstall option (hint: it's rpm -e). With programs installed from source, if you are lucky make uninstall will work. Other wise you need to track down each part of the installed program and manually delete it.

if you install things from source alot, this may be of interest

http://asic-linux.com.mx/~izto/checkinstall/

good luck.

I am not sure that this will be of any help, but you can go to System -> Configuration -> Packaging -> Remove Software and just look up the program.

If that doesn't work, try a hack-saw.....you would be surprised on how good it makes you feel.

EEK.