simple installation help
 

Ok. I am having some difficulty switching over from Windows, and I've only had linux (and used it) on my pc for a day. I've looked up online how to install basic things (in my case I want to download an irc client so I can get help faster) but I just can't seem to figure out how to install. Its saying I have to load a config, then something else etc.. I'm just so used to 'setup.exe.' Could someone give me a super simpled version, of where exactly to go to do those things? I am very good at windows things so you can assume I know that much, but I literally don't really know where anything is on here (yet). I have the latest version of ubuntu installed. Thank you in advance for your help!

And should I update everything it says to? Or are there certain files I should stay away from where it says :196 updates available.

it is *SO* easy it's unreal... open a terminal window, type "sudo apt-get install xchat" and press enter. that's it. nothing else. how much quicker was that than going online, downloading setup packages and stuff like that? also you will have synaptic in your system menus to give you a graphical view of all the categories and such.

update everything. they test their updates well on ubuntu. also note that this is updates to *ALL* software, not just the operating system like windows automatic updates. that will update games, office packages, web browers, anything you have installed (well most...)

*giggles* That was WAY too easy.... I might have FUN with this OS. Thank you for your help!

installs in Linux have improved with help from the various package managers available today.

Nice to have managed to convert someone so easily. so many guys in your situation think if it doesn't work like it did in windows, it's not as good. it's not *always* as good, sometimes though it's simply different, and has the right to be at that.