hello I'm a noob at linux and working at it.
I have install DSL on my old laptop, which doesn't have the internet, so I have install through bash. I have learned how to install it, but I can't seem to configure it when I enter, for example, ogle-0.9.2/configure it spits some stuff out like, "checking for gcc....No" and it ends with "error: no acceptable C compiler found in $path"
I checked other forums for answers, but they just say install gcc-4.1.2, which I did, and when I try and configure that it says "error: no acceptable cc found in $path". is there a way that I can open programs without having to configure it and make it and clean up.
I have no Idea what to do. plz make it easy to understand what I should enter in the source. I'm still a noobie
help plz

You need to look for a prebuilt package for gcc for your distro, rather than trying to install it from source.

Since it sounds like you are really brand new and this is your first install I have to ask:

1) How did you "install gcc"? What output do you get if you type "gcc -v" at the bash prompt?

2) What distro are you using (ubuntu,redhat,etc.)? Usually you should not have to configure/compile anything. I don't use "ogle" but if it is part of your install then it's already been built -- or did you download the source?

You should understand that the "configure" script found in a source tree is for configuring the construction of the program, and (usually) not for configuring user runtime options (like which device is the dvd player, etc). "configure" IS NOT a command, it's a generic name for a kind of text file. Once the program is built, you will have to consult the program and/or it's documentation to set different options.

Usually gcc is not installed by default. I know you think you have it installed, but to be sure try to answer my two questions and you will probably get some better advice.

so I am Running DSL,or Damn Small Linux. It is on an old 99 laptop so it is a quick OS for it. I have ubuntu running on my other computer, but that runs great. so for DSL. I have to learn how to install the programs.
So I typed in gcc -v and it relied "bash: gcc: command not found"
As far as ogle, I don't really care about that one program. I was just looking for a generic media program. I think I am going to use VLC instead though.
As far as installing gcc. I typed this in the source"tar xvjf gcc-4.1.2.tar.bz2" then it unzips it all, but then I'm stuck, and rendered useless. I have used tar on a few other different source packages, and they all do about the same thing.
if there is a prebuilt package where can I find, because DSL's website isn't really the best user friendly website. Also how do I install it.

Never looked at DSL so I won't be much help with that, but I would say this: if you're used to ubuntu, why not just use it? I guarantee it will fit and run on any laptop built in 1999.


That means you DEFINATELY DO NOT have gcc installed.

If you are using a source package, then you are attempting to build a package from the source. Most if not all of the packages you have installed with Ubuntu were already built and ready to use. One of the things YOU NEED TO BUILD ANYTHING is a working (ie, already built) gcc itself.

I just glanced at the DSL homepage and it looks to me like it's supposed to be quite minimal. For example, I didn't see any pre-packaged gcc, which means DSL was not designed to do any "development" (eg. building) on. That means you will have to restrict yourself to DSL's own packages and cannot install anything else unless it's a pre-built binary based on the glibc used in DSL.

So, you need to either reconsider your use of "Damn Small Linux" or feel satisfied with what they have to offer.
You might be able, if you are using the same libraries in ubuntu, to just copy your gcc onto your DSL install -- I am sure that will be a learning experience.

Conceptually, what has screwed you up here is not understanding that binary "executables" are compiled from source code, and that doing that requires a whole bunch of software and C library sources (often part of a "development platform" option in mainstream distro installs). If you are used to downloading source, untarring it, then running "configure" and "make" in ubuntu then you have all that stuff installed there already, but you may not be able to get it in DSL.

Thank Mk27 it has helped a great deal. I'll look into installing puppy, or something else. Due to the size of my comp (6G)
So Thanks again