Gedit has not been able to detect the character encoding on Ubuntu?

Ubuntonian · 11-25-2010, 05:57 PM

I have been trying to download a .tar.gz file for a while, and gedit says it has not been able to detect the character encloding. I am running Ubuntu 10.04 on an Acer Aspire 5730z.

All responses are appreciated. Thank you.

Slightly Disoriented · 11-25-2010, 06:20 PM

What is the address of what you are trying to download?

paulsm4 · 11-25-2010, 06:21 PM

Q: How exactly are you trying to download this .tar.gz file?
Are you using (or have you tried using) a web browser?

Q: What does "gedit" have to do with download problems?
I'm accustomed to using gedit to OPEN existing TEXT files (not download new binary files).
Although I'm prepared to be wrong

Please clarify.

Q: What is the exact error message?

Thank you in advance

Slightly Disoriented · 11-25-2010, 06:25 PM

That's what I was thinking. I was going to have a look at what ever they were going to download to see what it was trying to do, and if I could download it on my computer.

Ubuntonian · 11-25-2010, 06:28 PM

I have downloaded the file, and when I try to open it for installation, it does not open. I am sorry about the wording in my post, it was unclear and unfactual. I am using Firefox to download the file

I believe the address is: smart_notebook_software_with_drivers_10_2.tar.gz

If that is not it, then I apologize, I am a total linux noob :P

Slightly Disoriented · 11-25-2010, 06:35 PM

Well first you have to extract the file... Just right click and click "Extract Here." There may be the program in there.

Ubuntonian · 11-25-2010, 06:37 PM

You my friend just saved me from failing an assignment. Thank you so much. It is extracting now, I will keep you updated.

UPDATE: It is working wonderfully. Thank you all so much. I'll try to remember to extract files from now on. Thank you for a helping a desperate noob like myself. Best of the holiday wishes to you all

Slightly Disoriented · 11-25-2010, 06:39 PM

Glad to be of assistance. If you don't mind me asking, what was the goal of the assignment? It might not be over yet...

Ubuntonian · 11-25-2010, 06:41 PM

Oh, my school uses this software to make powerpoint-like presentations. I could fail my next english class without being able to work at home... Bad for me.

Slightly Disoriented · 11-25-2010, 06:45 PM

Oh, I think I know what it is, I know a school that uses it,but they use it in Windows. That's cool that your school uses Linux though.
EDIT: You can also extract it from Terminal, but that's harder. You

Code:

cd Downloads

or wherever it downloaded to. Then

Code:

tar xvf file.tar.gz

and it's the same thing.

Ubuntonian · 11-25-2010, 06:49 PM

Oh, they use it on Windows too. They probably are required by the school board to run Windows XP (God are they behind the times). I just run it on Ubuntu, my only OS.

Slightly Disoriented · 11-25-2010, 06:50 PM

Oh, thats cool. Happy Holidays!

Ubuntonian · 11-25-2010, 07:12 PM

You too!

paulsm4 · 11-25-2010, 08:43 PM

Minor correction:

Code:

tar xvzf file.tar.gz

You need the "z" option for "Gnu zip" tar files.

A ".tar" file is an "archive" (i.e., a standard "collection" of files and directories).

A ".tar.gz" file (or, equivalently, a ".tgz") file is a "compressed archive".