how does anyone install ANYTHING on this?
 

Whenever I wanted to install anything on windows it worked like this:

download,unzip.execute,next,next,next,accept,next,next.(yawn),restart system,DONE!!

Since putting in Suse though, this process has become a nightmare. For instance, i wanted to install m-player so that i could use the codecs to watch a simpsons AVI. I download both compressed files from the site, and it tells me I need to get an xfree86 and a glibc program. I download both of those and lo and behold each of them come with a read-me file that looks more like a short novel than an instruction manual. I've been using computers for quite a while now but neither one of these were the least bit comprehensive.

I had similar problems trying to install firefox, thunderbird, and other programs that would have been extremely simple using any other OS. I'm seriously starting to wonder how anyone figures this stuff out without an MIT degree.

Is there a SIMPLE step by step proceedure that will install most basic programs? Is there a place I can find a basic tutorial so that i don't need to literally spend 5 hours to figure this out?

So what exactly is your question? If you tell us that then we can start helping you.

If you're compiling from source most syntaxs are..

./configure
make
su
make install

Not all program are built the same way, so finding a single step-by-step how-to isn't going to happen.

But that's what the README and INSTALL files are for

On SUSE, most of the software is easiest installed through Yast (No 'Next', no reboot). Sure, some software is not available as rpm in the newest version, but in most cases you only have to search carefully. For example in the sticky thread about Yast update sources in the SUSE/Novell forum.

To be more specific:

mplayer: http://packman.links2linux.de/
firefox/thunderbird: ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/linux/suse/ftp...ojects/mozilla

Get Debian,

use apt-get install #file

Do you want to download? --> Y

------ downloading --> install ---> finished -------

without that next stuff end rebooting.
Debian searches the files for you.

Cut this guy some slack. He's new and installing Mplayer is a nightmare on SuSE (I've been there).

For most packages, these instructions apply.

If you're downloading the source code, check the INSTALL file (it's nearly always there)

If you see "These are generic install instructions" or something similar (I can't remember the exact wording) you can just open up a terminal in that directory and do

./configure
make
make check
su
make install

as Linux~Powered said (make check is optional).

Sometimes there's no configure script, which usually means it's already configured, ready for the make.

I agree, the Mplayer install process could have been made much easier - there are a lot of libraries needed to support it, and then more libraries needed to support them, and so on down.

I still don't use the GUI, because I don't have the time/can't be bothered to figure out how to make it work.

* * *

SuSE give you download mirrors for all of their RPMs, although these are frequently out of date.

If you have an RPM you want to install, it's even simpler than building something from source:

su
rpm -i package.rpm

If you need help installing a specific program, make a new thread for it here (after checking no-ones done so before you) and the super-friendly Linux community will be happy to help you.

Stick with it.
You won't regret it.

Hi Linux gods for Suse 9.2 noobs... I have been trying to install programs for 2 days. I have NO Linux experiance NONE not even a friend that has done it :( Please Please Please assume nothing like even the mostbasic of commands or ideas for my prior experiance. I tried to install Firefox mozilla and got nowhere at all. Would someone please give me layman step by step noob instructions like step 1 download this program from here blah blah blah then this is how you move it into this root directory then your gonna need to compile?????? like this and then your gonna need a rpm??????? What is all this stuff... If I can just install one program maybe I get get my confidence back to try other stuff. Sincerely in need of some Linux friends thanks Mike.

Chill out,

Everyone started like you. The basic steps are basically the same in every dist. from Suse to Debian . You have to realize that you must be more specific in what you are asking. Don't ask: explain me everything :D.

first you have to learn the basic steps before you begin installing software.

See the howto: http://www-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/pub/d...userguide-9.0/
I know very large but seek out the sections you need.

Next, to install packages use the instructions shown in the post off Ritespeed.

TIP: Try to search with google for answers first and if you can't find anything use the forum.

Good luck :D

You want firefox? Do this:

- download firefox from SuSE: ftp://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/linux/suse/ftp...0-2.1.i586.rpm
- save it to a place where you can find it later (e.g. /home/<username>/)
- open konqueror (the little icon that looks like a house)
- browse to the directory with the downloaded file
- click the file once, the appearance of konqueror will change and show you some information about the package.
- a button above the main windows tells 'Install package with Yast' or something similar. Press this button
- enter your root-password
- click next, next, enter, confirm (just kidding) and it is done!

You want mplayer? Read this:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...21#post1302321

- select HTTP
- in the 'server' field, enter: packman.iu-bremen.de
- directory: suse/9.2

Now use Yast -> Software -> Install and Remove Software to install whatever you want.

By now you should know the easiest methods of software installation well enought to apply them on other packages as well. ;) Good luck!

In case you're interested:
http://yves.gablin.club.fr/linux/
Look at software->install.

Yves.

thanks I will try this when I get home from school-- p.s. I did a trial install and it asked me for my suse 9.2 "CD" I downloaded suse to a "DVD" and it doesn't appear to be reading the required filed from it and I do not see any other options. YOU GUY ALL ROCK and I took a pill so I should be a little chill later j/k Thanks Again.

Thanks again but it is asking for the suse linux disk 1 when I try to install Mozilla. I download the suse 9.2 mini but it didn't find the file on that either. Thanks Again Mike

If you really want a linux distribution for dummies (and I'm one),
get Xandros. And then, install using Xandros Network. Of
course, I admit suse (yast0 and debian (apt-get) have nice
installer.

Sheng-Chieh

I was following abisko's instructions and everything works great until it asks me to insert my suse CD 1... I have made 2 iso's one of the mini and the other one the DVD it prompts me to insert the CD but the file is not found do you know what the path might be what command to write out to get it to find the right file on the cd the prompt I am getting is an ERROR READING
"Insert
'Suse Linux Version 9.2 CD'
cd:///;devices=/dev/hda"

any help would be cool!

ITS ALIVE ITS ALIVE
 

I Figured it out by way of luck yippie yippie yippie- Thanks for all your help I had to change the source of the instalation folder and it work YEAH YIPPIE Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Great that you figured it out by yourself! Just for your information: the mini-installation-DVD is just for booting the kernel. All packages thenn need to be installed via internet (they are not on the CD). If you would like to have them on DVD, you need the FTP-DVD from the same source.