How do you install programs/drivers?
 

I'm running Knoppix and I've downloaded ati drivers and a new version of firefox. How do I install them?

I am brand new to Linux.

Thanks.

Depends what form they are in. What's the extensions of the files you downloaded?

The ati driver is .run and firefox is .tar.gz

Thanks.

You installed knoppix to the hard drive then? As I don't think there is anyway to update if you are running from the cdrom.

In any event, run files are generally:
Firefox will be trickier. First you need to extract the tarball:
Now 'cd' into the newly created directory. There will be a file their named README. Read it. There will be a file called INSTALL. Read it. Generally though, there are 3 generic steps to installing software from source code:

This isn't necessarily true, as Mozilla have a Firefox binary for download in .tar.gz, so all that needs to be done is extract it.

Bulliver,

Yes, I installed Knoppix to the hd.

What do you mean by:
# sh package-name.run

I suppose you mean use terminal and then navigate to the directory where the driver downloaded to and then type # sh ati-driver-installer-8.20.8-i386.run? I tried that and got nowhere. I also tried using the GUI and clicked on the driver (ati-driver-installer-8.20.8-i386.run) but that just opened up a text document.

I also tried following the directions on the ati webpage (located here: https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206...21.7-inst.html) but couldn't get that to work either.

If you would please explain every little step I would appreciate it because I know nothing about Linux or Knoppix. Also if you could explain things in terms a person familiar with Windows and Mac OS is familiar with that would help too.

Is there any way to install the driver using the GUI instead of CLI?

Thanks.

What happened? Errors? A .run file is basically just a shell script, hence why it opened a text file rather than running it.

In any event, please don't say things like "it didn't work" or "I got nowhere". It provides us with zero information to try and diagnose your problem. Explain clearly what steps you took, what happened, and cut and paste any errors you get.

I would say not, unless knoppix provides both a GUI package manager, and a package for your ati drivers. I don't use knoppix, but I do not believe this is the case. You should not shy away from the cli anyway if you want to have success with Linux.

well, for the firefox program do this

1.- on your command line put "tar -zxvf filename.tar.gz"
This will extract the files
2.- in the command line write ./firefox
3.- Ready.
4.- Create a shortcut in your desktop to the ./firefox bin and thats it

Hope it helps

Thank you all, I finally figured out how to install both files.