I'm new to Linux. I'm running Mandrake 9.0. I was able to copy the 2 macromedia flash files in /usr/lib/mozilla-1.1/plugins and now flash works in Galeon, however Xine is too advanced. I want to be able to play DVD movies. Can anyone who has Xine configured to play DVD's give me some direction? I also don't know if I should be installing files as root or as a user.

In order to install source files this is what I know:
1)copy the files to /usr/local/src
2)unzip the files: tar xvf filename.tar.gz
3)./configure
4)make
5)install make

Does this look in any way accurate? I have an idea what files I need to download but if anyone has actually done it, I could use some information.

hehe, right big test of faith... we've been seeing eye to eye very well so far, so how about you trust me and use mplayer instead? it's sooo much better (apart from dvd menu navigation which is a big gimmick anyway) http://mplayerhq.hu

your instructinos are fine except...

5) make install

but if your'e not that keen on all that you can get rpms at http://fr2.rpmfind.net just search for mplayer or xine

and you ALWAYS install files as root, unless you're just a little user on some big companies server.

I would have to totally disagree with this statement.
NEVER use root unless absolutely necsessary.. Dont log in as root, dont surf web as root, and dont install as root unless its needed. Then you should use sudo or su - and immediately surrender your privs.

What is the command to install an rmp?

rpm -i fielname.rpm
???

obviously doing anythign as root that isn't vital is bad, but it should be essential to install stuff as root, unless it's something really petty, everything other than the "make install" should be done as a normal user though.

rpm -ivh file.rpm it's all in the man page for rpm.

And what is the best way to unzip a file.tar.gz?

tar xvf filename.tar.gz

??
I'm writing this stuff down!

The man pages do not provide clear instructions.

these questions have been asked so many dozens of times, for more inforamtion, use the search feature, or try one of the links on my signature. they really are described well in the manpages

Maybe it's:

tar vxz filename.tar.gz

Oh, I missed the letter f, thanks.

That worked, but no environmental variables are set for Xine. Somehow that doesn't surprise me. They sure don't make this easy.

what variables would they be?

mplayer is still much much better....

Okay, say I try mplayer. It's a filename.tar.bz2 file.

Can I open that with:

tar -xfvz filename.tar.bz2

Than I just do a:
./configure
make
make install

? Is that what you did when you installed it?