Installation of various rpms
 

like every newbie im not so knowledgeable about linux. i have redhat 8.0 on my computer..and i tried to install certain softwares using the rpms available. like the media player and stuff. but since im used to using windows and the shortcut for all the programs installed appears in the start menu bar..im finding it a little hard to see where my files are and how to access them..if someone can help me with this it will be great.

also im trying to use softwares like matlab and visual fortran these are windows based machines. so i tried to use the java virtual machine
but after i installed the java virtual machine..i dint have even a clue about what i should do in order to access it..someone please help me..if u can send me an email it will be awesome ..

thanks in advance

It sounds as if you might be a candidate for apt4rpm and synaptic.

Install the two rpms for your distro (command rpm -Uvh apt* in the download directory), then command:
apt-get update
apt-get install synaptic

You should have a menu item somewhere in your gnome menu now. If you can't see it, just command synaptic in an x terminal.

# Guides to software management
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

# Red Hat links
Red Hat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
Red Hat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Red Hat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Red Hat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network
Manage software:
redhat-config-packages
Red Hat 9.0 Package Management Tool
Manage users
redhat-config-users

Since Redhat doesn't include support for NTFS out of the box, I include these links, please ignore if you don't use NTFS:
# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project