I'm using Mandrake 9.1 and I'm a newbie, how do I install and run programs; Terminal?
 

Ok, first off, I use windows 90% of the time, the other % I'm living a life, or trying to use linux. Trying to install and run programs however is eating into more than 5% of that time. I'm trying to break away from the "Evil Microsoft". And I've heard of Wine and all that jazz, but how do I run programs, how do I use that blasted terminal thingy, what the heck is a kernal, and why can't I install anything unless I'm in root? I'm so confused, but I want to break away from Microsoft and Mac. I have Gnome and KDE up and running on Mandrake 9.1, I've partitioned my Hdrive with 23g winxp, 20g Mandrake 9.1, and 13g RedHat (that incedentaly wont run, and I don't know how to resize it back to either Mandrake or winxp without starting all over again). I put everything from both isos. I have a practically new HP PC. and now I'm going to have to restart all over again unless I get some help. I have a linux game: Soldier of Fortune, but it wont run under GNOME without terminal, and I don't know how to use it, and I haven't tryed KDE. And no, I'm not going to go out and buy a book to teach me how to use it; I didn't pay for the OS, why would I pay for the a book on how to use it. So any help would be appreciated. thanks.

One more thing, why would mandrake 9.1 run and Redhat 9, which Mandrake is based on, not run?

Partition Magic (http://www.powerquest.com) make a partition resizing tool, as for why it wont run, no clue? i am a new linux guy too but i know partiton shit, look for a free one but that one does it but cost money, and speaking on behalf of a student, im broke, dont know about you hah, enjoy.


i suggest just trying one distubtion first, use only winxp and mandrake, learn and move on, thats what im doing at least, always help me learn.

Hey, since you seem to be having internet go and see
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/

It's probably cheaper than a book. Please remember that Linux is not Windows.
Expect to invest some time & effort to learning something new. It is however not impossible and (for me at least) worth it.

sirquixote, first i'd luike to explain you a few things about LinuqQuestions forum, and HOWTO ask a question.
1) There are lots of forums dealing different questions (like distribution forum, hardware, software, libranet, and so on)
2) libranet forum is for questions about that particular distribution, and as far as I can see, you're not using it...so you should have created this thread in mandrake or distibutions forum, not here!! NEWBIE forum is the BEST solution for you - until you get to use linux like a beginner (you're far from beginner now, no offense meant ;) ) send all threads to newbie forum
3) your question is VERY general, and its MULTIPLE. it's really hard to read it all and respond to every question in it. in future, try to send smaller, specified questions - you'll get more direct answer.
4) write your system configuration (hardware components) and operating system(s) you use, otherwhise you'll have to write it one more time to get any help....

and now i'll try to help you...
you made quite a mess on your computer, should have ask for help before...you don't need both red hat and mandrake - why did you install them both? you tried to install redhat first, and when it didn't work you installed mandrak too?you should have asked for help...what can be done now? i think the best (cleanest, easiest) solution would be to clear all those partitions, but since i don't know ANYTHING about your computer i'm asking you what computer is it (cpu, RAM and hard disk)...AND, go to mandrake, open command line (console, the button near start menu with a shell on it) and type:

su (to get to root mode - it will ask you for a password type it and hit enter again)
fdisk /dev/hda
p
and then copy what it writes down and post it here

Partition Magic is probalby not necessary. Mandrake has long had a good non-destructtive partition resizer gui tool in the installer. You need Mandrake 9.1 or higher if you want to resize Window XP partitions (NTFS). Be sure to back up important data, and defrag, etc., first.

I disagree about using only one distro, though. Probably the number one FAQ is which distro is best? Why not decide for yourself by trying a couple?