installing help. really new newbie

masonm · 03-31-2003, 10:36 AM

ok, I know for most of you this is a really stupid question, but I need to know. I want to install some programs I downloaded. I read the readme and install texts, but don't understand what I am reading. I am really new to Linux, have Mandrake.
It tells me about configure, and make, etc... I have no idea what this stuff is, or how to do it. Is there someplace I can get some step by step instruction on all this stuff???????

Crashed_Again · 03-31-2003, 10:42 AM

How about this:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...threadid=45094

masonm · 03-31-2003, 10:52 AM

read the recommended link. looks helpful, will try it. one question about it. these commands are typed in through a terminal window?
like I said, very very new to this
Thanks for your kind assistance

Crashed_Again · 03-31-2003, 10:54 AM

Yes they are typed in through a terminal.

Linus VanPelt · 03-31-2003, 11:14 AM

This is just personal experience, but I'm a N00B as well, and I usually look for an RPM and use the Software Manager to install. When I am looking for something, I usually look for an RPM first.

I also discovered that you can launch Software Manager by clicking on the RPM you downloaded in your file manager. I usually download to my /home directory.

I know it's not as 37337 as unzipping and tarring the files then running ./configure and make, but sometimes you just wanna install and run.