Howdy Folks;

I recently tossed Windows out the window, and took the bold step of installing Red Hat Linux 8.0. Now I'm in all kinds of trouble. I've tried to install new programs I've downloaded, but I have no clue how to get them started. That is to say, I can see where the download is, but where is the install button? Silly question huh? I see a lot of files but none of them seem to do anything. I don't understand all the things that are supposed to be typed in. The MAN on install tells me nothing in plain English.

Now I don't expect anyone to give me a step by step tutorial here, I just hope you can point me to where I can read what to do in plain English. All the /'s and dashes and things make my head spin. I tried reading in the 900 lb manual I got, but it doesn't tell me much about how to get the programs installed up and running.

If you could just point me to where I can find out what to do I'd be most greatful.


Franky Edder
Cornfused but not discouraged.

I typed this for someone yesterday, what is the file extension of the file your trying to install ie .rpm .tar.gz etc?

Your question is so vague that you are not likely to get useful answers. How you install and run programs on your RH8 box will vary depending on the program.

Here are some useful links:
http://linux.about.com/library/bl/op...ewbie3.5.1.htm
http://www.faqs.org/contrib/yal/page7faq.htm

Software installation's the hardest thing to get used to in Linux. Once you get used to it and have it properly set up, it can actually become easier than Windows', believe it or not. What you downloaded was most likely .tar.gz files or something similar which contained the source code for the programs straight from the developers. To install this, you'd have to possess the appropriate compiler(s), whatever programs and libraries it depends upon (called dependencies), and a fair amount of luck.

A much improved way to install programs is based on package management, which contains these programs already compiled for your specific platform along with directions of which dependencies must be installed. These end in .rpm for redhat, Mandrake, Suse and anything based off these, and .deb for debian-based distributions. Typically the files will identify which of these distros by being named program.rh8.i386.rpm for RedHat 8 on an intel x86 platform, although RPMs intended for other versions of RedHat will typically work too (but *not* for different processor types). You can find a lot of these RPMs by searching rpmfind.net . Usually all you have to do is click on the downloaded file, it will query you for a root password, and then will install. If it's missing any dependencies it will fail, but tell you which ones need to be installed so that you can go dowload them first.

An even better way to install programs instead of searching and downloading rpms by hand is to set up a package list or repository. Then almost any program you want can be installed along with any dependencies. Usually you can use this to upgrade any/all of the programs installed this way at once. Personally, I found support for this lacking in most other distros so I moved to Debian, where it's a standard feature. Recently there's been some work porting Debian's apt-get (https://moin.conectiva.com.br/AptRpm) and YellowDog's YUM (http://linux.duke.edu/projects/yum/) to RedHat, but I have no experience with either of these projects, relying on Debian's native apt-get.

All of the above. rpm tar.gz and the whole alphabet soup for file extentions.
I took a trip over to the link Idaho posted in his reply. Made sense to me.
I don't regret moving over to Linux. I've wanted to get rid of MS Windows for
a very long time. But having used Windows 3.0 through WIN 2000 Pro, I feel
like I woke up in an alternate computer universe. I keep hope'n that lil Penguin
critter will pop up on my screen and tell me how to get from A to Z.

In the mean time, I'm still digging through that 900 lb linux manual I got with
this distribution of Red Hat Linux 8.0... er.. um.. 'scuse me the distro... hehe.
See that? I'm get'n to catch on to the linux lingo.

Many thanks to ya'all for your responses. I'm check'n each of them out as I
go along. I know to some ya'all I might seem dumb, but I am not a complete
idiot (debate is still rageing pro and con about that). I was smart enough to
get linux installed from the DVD. Even though this is my 15th try at it. I figure
I can get the rest of this working too. Just might take a lil more time than it does
for some one younger and more geeky.

.tar.gz = gunzip filename.tar.gz (or right click and select extract in kde)
.rpm = rpm -ivh filename.rpm (or Uvh to update an already existing install)
.bin = ./filename.bin (you might have to chmod on certain files first, chmod a+x filename.bin)


They're the most common types you'll probably see.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by misterflibble
[B]Software installation's the hardest thing to get used to in Linux.


boyhowdy you got that right. This is about like try'n to fit a corncob
in a sew'n needle. I'm still look'n at all the rest of the references on
HOWTO. The trouble with Linux is, they don't tell ya anything in
plain ole redneck English.

To Install: Tie computer to hitch on pick up truck, drag it into town.
Find a computer geek about 15 years old (acne optional: use the
-ac switch) Pay the boy 20 bucks, and peek over his shoulder to
see what he did.

Anyways, thank ya for the help.



What I wanna know is, who's idea was it to put black symbols on black buttons on a black VCR?

AWWRIGHTY... now we're get'n some where. I went to the first link
and printed out the instructions. Makes a whole lot more sense than
what I've read in the 900 lb manual.

Hey, I ain't vauge, I'm just mighty subtle is all.

Have ya a good'n.

franky4994:

I hope I did not offend you with my comment about your post being too vague. You seem to have taken it in good spirits.

The easiest approach to installing software in Linux that I have found is apt-get in Debian based distributions, my particular favorite being Libranet (http://www.libranet.com/). Their V2.8.1 is a free download. If you install this, log into a KDE session, and then launch Kpackage you will find yourself presented with an amazing list of software - any of which is installable (from your internet connection) by issuing the command:
apt-get install <packagename>.

The only housekeeping you will need to do to make this work is to issue the command "apt-get update" to make sure you are looking at the current list of available software.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by idaho
[B]

I hope I did not offend you with my comment about your post being too vague. You seem to have taken it in good spirits.

Nawww ain't no big deal. I mean, considering all the things folks have ever said about me. Where you pointed me to
helped me to understand what I'm trying to do here. I appreciate the help.