using .rpm files
 

i just downloaded an instant messager and it end with a .rpm how do u use/install this?:newbie:

rpm -i packagename
And you have it installed. If it's a GUI program for your distro, it will probably be added to your menus. In other case try t run it manually from console and then create a menu entry.

to find out how to use commands in linux, go to the command prompt and type:

man command
eg. in your case, it's rpm so type:
man rpm

you get some info on how to use the command. to quit from the info page(or more specifically, it's called the man page), press the "Q" key

to learn how to use man, type:

man man