I'm back with more stupid questions.
(I know...the only stupid question, is the one never asked. But, I get pretty close to proving that wrong sometimes )

I have RedHat 9 installed. When I search for RPM's around I don't see many for RedHat 9. Usually an older RedHat maybe 8 maybe 7.2 or even for other distros (that's a new word that I learned here...pretty good huh?)

1) Will the older version RPM's work with my newer version?

2) When I install an RPM, is the normal command rpm -i [packagename], or are they all different?

3) Could someone talk me through how to install a basic tar.gz package. Step by step sortof if possible.

Thanks for the help again.

Generally, the older the distro, the more stuff you can find that might work. I run one or two older distros for that very reason.

You can try to install them, but you will probably get dependency troubles or other errors and fail on quite a few.

These links can explain the other question much better than I could.
# 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

apt4rpm will find a lot of packages and resolve the dependencies as well.

# 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

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

best way : install apt on ur machine.
for that, do this:

download the following 2 packages:
http://ftp.freshrpms.net/pub/freshrp...6-fr1.i386.rpm

http://ftp.freshrpms.net/pub/freshrp...6-fr1.i386.rpm

as root, goto the folder where u saved these 2, and type in:

rpm -ivh apt*

this will install both the above packages.

staying as root, do an :
apt-get update

now, u can search for any rpm that is available.

to search for the rpm, do a :
apt-cache search rpm-name/description

to install the rpm do a:
apt-get install rpm-name

and, thats that!

now, if there are some packages u cant install using apt, download it, and as root, type:
rpm -ivh rpm-name
don't get the rpm sources.

now, if u want to install some applications which are available as sources, download the *.tar.gz file or whatever.
first unzip the pack with a:
tar zxvf filename.tar.gz

if u downloaded a *.tar.bz2 file, then u wud unzip it using :
tar jxvf filename.tar.bz2

next go into the folder that was just created , read the file "INSTALL" or "README"

usually, all u have to do is:
./configure
make
make install (thisu sometimes have to do as root, but the iother 2 above can be done as normal user id)

and u shud be done. when the executable is created, u wud run it with a "./executable-name" command.

i wud strongly suggest u install apt now!!!!
it will save u a lot of headaches. most packages are in the apt repository, and it will take care of all dependencies for u. the only reason i tried redhat was cos it was supporting apt.

have fun.

Thanks I've installed apt already ...now time to try it.

If you just gotta use a pointy-clicky, after you do apt-get update and apt-get dist-upgrade, do apt-get install synaptic.

u wont go back to downloadin rpm's again - i guarantee u that!

Thanks

i can't agree more with the apt and synaptic suggestions, and if you do find that there is a particular update or app that is not listed in synaptic, i find the site http://shrike.freshrpms.net very handy for rh9 rpms. best of luck.