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Old 06-19-2005, 08:23 PM   #1
lectraplayer
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Install my basic Linux stuff--Linspire 4


I'm here trying to install some basic Linux stuff, mostly stuff like Automake, Autoconf, M4, etc., stuff I haven't seen a binary for, and understand that there are so many variants between machine to machine that these packages must be compiled to work properly. ...and it seems that they have cross-dependencies, where I need Automake to install Autoconf or M4, Autoconf needs M4 and Automake, M4 needs both Automake and Autoconf, etc. ...and I also need to know where my $PATH statements are defined, as M4 is actually telling me there is no "cc" in $PATH. If I can figure out where my paths are defined at the moment, I think I may accidentally be able to get back moving on my dependency adventures. This is on Lindows 4, before they changed the name to Linspire (now Five-O), and I'm trying to get my modem working under it, as it has software for my ISP ready to go. I actually wish I could port it to Fedora.
 
Old 06-20-2005, 12:17 AM   #2
jonaskoelker
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If you would like help with your technical problems, make it clear what kind of help you expect. I suggest you read `smart questions':

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

--Jonas
 
Old 06-20-2005, 04:12 AM   #3
Simon Bridge
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I can extract the following question:
"I also need to know where my $PATH statements are defined."

... I take it that's a question?

Have you done "echo $PATH" in terminal?
This should tell you what your PATH is pointing to. You can append directories to your PATH using cat(1).

But you should know this... you've been around long enough!

Last edited by Simon Bridge; 06-20-2005 at 04:14 AM.
 
Old 06-21-2005, 09:13 PM   #4
lectraplayer
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Quote:
Originally posted by jonaskoelker
If you would like help with your technical problems, make it clear what kind of help you expect.
I'm doing my best to do so by telling you:
A: what I'm trying to do
B: what my hangup or trouble is

It's amazing what you can find by reading the post!

...speaking of which...

Quote:
Originally posted by Simon Bridge
I can extract the following question:
"I also need to know where my $PATH statements are defined."

... I take it that's a question?

Have you done "echo $PATH" in terminal?
This should tell you what your PATH is pointing to. You can append directories to your PATH using cat(1).
Yes, that is my question (or at least part of it) --where in freak is my Path statements?! I'm far from being an "advanced" Linux user, even though I've been here awhile, and I am learning about all this in the Linux world. Normally, what I do with Linux is mostly just "fiddling", nothing really "gut-level", so many of the system functions such as the echo command are as of yet undiscovered to me. I know I have much to learn in the Force, but I will come to know more as I continue my fiddling, and maybe even complete this M$ Death crossover I'm doing. Meanwhile, I'll see if the echo command shows me anything. ...but then again, knowing Linspire (based off of what I've seen as of yet), the echo command may be removed.

Also, notice that I have laid out a depency circle--Automake and Autoconf require M4, M4 and Autoconf require Automake, etc.... That's another part.

Last edited by lectraplayer; 06-21-2005 at 09:15 PM.
 
Old 06-22-2005, 01:08 AM   #5
Simon Bridge
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Path Statements: I don't know offhand - I could find out.... but why do you need to know? To modify the path, you can append paths or even rewrite them totally. (man export)

Circular dependancies are not possible. Remember - the developer had to compile from these same files. However, it can look like that sometimes.

Can you give us the exact packaged and show which dependancies go where? (Look carefully at the dependence request - the package numbers may be a little different, or it is calling for a development package or a library.)

There is another possibility - you realise that Linspire has it's own special packages that you pay for?
 
Old 06-22-2005, 01:46 AM   #6
Simon Bridge
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Apologies - the reply deleted here was supposed to go to a different thread. <ahem>

Last edited by Simon Bridge; 06-22-2005 at 01:48 AM.
 
Old 06-22-2005, 05:58 PM   #7
lectraplayer
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I must know where the path statements are defined if I am to continue with Linspire, as my ISP software is available for Linspire, but I'm having to compile in my own modem drivers. Since I use dial-up, and Click-N-Run requires an internet connection (so it's blocked by the lack of a modem driver). I cannot get those "special" packages (that does violate the GPL since they make a profit off of my purchase), so I'm downloading the tarbals of the newest Automake, Autoconf, M4, GCC, etc. and am trying to compile them in via the traditional Linux method--Configure, Make, Make-Install, and so on. If I am to tell Linspire where Automake is, as one prime example, I must add that folder to the path statement. I don't want to throw the compiled package in under somewhere like /sbin due to the likelyhood of replacing files, and therefore losing the system. Instead, I want it somewhere like my user-defined path--/usr/System/Automake/automake-version.

Again: I need to put folders in my path statement so that I can compile tarballed packages without replacing stuff. If I can do that, maybe I can go on.

Also, the Man project does not exist in Linspire. Why the freak did they take it out?

My attempt of echoing $PATH just gave me a list of the folders currently in the path statement. Wasn't much use, even with me trying to vi the $PATH.

Last edited by lectraplayer; 06-22-2005 at 06:01 PM.
 
Old 06-22-2005, 09:11 PM   #8
Simon Bridge
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Lets say you have stuff in /usr/fu/bar you want in the PATH ... do this:
Code:
echo $PATH
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/fu/bar
the echo is to make sure the export is required - good discipline, like always indicating your turns (when driving) even when you're sure there's noone to see.
Quote:
Also, the Man project does not exist in Linspire. Why the freak did they take it out?
Try "info" where you would expect to use "man" (assuming they havn't removed all documentation, you'll find the texinfo docs are often more detailed than man pages anyway.) Note: all the man pages are online.

Last edited by Simon Bridge; 06-22-2005 at 09:12 PM.
 
Old 06-24-2005, 08:56 PM   #9
lectraplayer
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Thanks. ...since I can put folders into the path, how can I get them out, in the event that I inadvertantly add the wrong folder, or that folder is later removed (or replaced, IE, a new Automake in its own folder, I don't want to use the old Automake, though I may not remove the files just yet).
 
Old 06-26-2005, 01:59 AM   #10
Simon Bridge
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Removing a string from an environment variable is more tricky - you have to pipe the variable to a CLI text editor first. It's usually simpler just to rewrite the entire line. To avoid typos - just echo the variable to the terminal, then copy over bit you want to keep.

export OLDPATH=$PATH
echo $PATH
<highlight bit you want to keep: copy>
export PATH=<paste>

OLDPATH in case you make a mistake

For this reason, a common strategy is to create a directory off ~/ to hold links things you want to run. Then put that directory in your path. You'd also want to create a directory for temporarily installed libraries the same way. So you'd put things like a depreciated automake in there along with everything else you wanted to keep to one side but useable.

Careful though - what happens if two executables with the same name are in your path (albeit in different places)?

Considering the nature of your questions, you want to read your way through "info coreutils".

Please note - the abbreviation for "id est" (that is) is i.e. (or ie) not IE, which is "Internet Explorer". I'm sure you didn't mean the latter.

Last edited by Simon Bridge; 06-26-2005 at 02:06 AM.
 
Old 06-26-2005, 09:37 AM   #11
lectraplayer
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Thanks. Not only are you helping me big time, but you're also giving me an idea I've never thought about before with that temporary path folder thing. I like that idea.

As far as using the info command, it's gone too. I have nothing from the TLDP, so I guess I may want to go back and see about putting it in when I get my modem working (but first, I must get GCC, M4, Automake, Autoconf, and all that so as I can compile my driver. ) I'm essentially, at the moment, rebuilding a distribution of Linux to get my hardware to work.

Where is the path statement actually contained? From all this echo and export stuff I'm having to work with, I'm guessing it may be compiled in the kernel, whereas in somewhere like DOS, it was placed in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, and was easily adjusted to fit my needs. I just went off and assumed that Linux was similar, and have yet to find the containing file.
 
Old 07-09-2005, 09:47 PM   #12
jonaskoelker
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Quote:
Where is the path statement actually contained?
here are a few guesses:

Code:
/etc/profile
~/.bash_profile
~/.bashrc
(from first post)
Quote:
as M4 is actually telling me there is no "cc" in $PATH.
to check that you have a c compiler installed, try these:
Code:
$ cc
$ which cc
$ whereis cc
$ locate cc
$ find / -name cc
you may also want to try `gcc' instead of `cc' (`cc' is the generic name for `C Compiler').

hth --Jonas
 
Old 07-10-2005, 01:53 AM   #13
Simon Bridge
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lectraplayer: I've been looking further at linspire - though it gets good reviews for it's install - I must admit some concern over a distro officially sanctioning users to do everything as root. You are strongly urged to consider another distro.

Suggest Ubuntu or Fedora - since you value linspire's strengths.
 
Old 07-10-2005, 08:46 PM   #14
lectraplayer
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Quote:
Originally posted by Simon Bridge
lectraplayer: I've been looking further at linspire - though it gets good reviews for it's install - I must admit some concern over a distro officially sanctioning users to do everything as root. You are strongly urged to consider another distro.

Suggest Ubuntu or Fedora - since you value linspire's strengths.
Me, I'm wondering about the legality of Linspire. Are they violating the GPL? It comes with nothing and I "must" buy everything through Click-n-Run for a profitable price, which the GPL doesn't allow (it says you can charge, but only for distribution costs, and I know it don't cost $29.95 to distribute the GIMP!). While I do use Fedora, and I like it, Linspire's currently the only one my ISP has software for, and I'm looking to port that to Fedora, just haven't done it yet. Also, maybe I can install many of the packages via source code, as I can get them for free somewhere like Sourceforge.

Also, where's the Linspire source code? GPL requires it!

To me, Linspire's just currently a liberation/recovery tool at the moment, and it will likely be soon disposed of due to its aparant tendency to "be like Windows". ...and yes, its replacement will likely be someone like Fedora or SuSE. I like 'em both!
 
  


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