ok so i didnt even have to use the command line. i just used the ark program with mandrake and it installed it automatically... but the questions is.. do i have to restart every time i install osmething

no, you shouldnt have to restart after you install, i cant even think of anything that you DO need to restart after you install(aside from a new kernel install, but that goes without saying)

and i dont think it installed it automaticly.. ark cant compile programs, ark decompresses them... you still need to compile it, unless you got a binary release

From a konqueror window hit control and T to get a command window in the directory konqueror is currently in.

So to build gaim or anything else go to the directory in konqueror where your *.tgz is extracted to and hit control and T you will then be in a console at the right place to do a configure make and make install :-)

Hi nicknamefij,
I suspect you still feel quite left in the dark about installing software in linux.

Unfortunately the very nature of linux makes it necessary to have different ways of installing software. The only way you can be sure will work (I have not seen any program, which does not offer this way of installing) is to "Compile from source" (this is what has been suggested you do with the files you downloaded).
The term alone is enough to scare some people away from using the software. However, once you have tried it, you will see that it is a very straight forward process. Have a look at the instructions I linked to above.

As I said this works for every linux setup out there you will likely encounter. There are other, more convenient ways to install software, but they require the software authors to prepare them for different distributions. For Gaim there is a package for Mandrake 10 (look for "Gaim 0.82.1 (Mandrake 10.0)" in the table). Chances are this is more like what you would expect in an installer. Download the file and click on it.

Also, if you are feeling comfortable in trying out new things, you may want to give Autopackage a try. This projects aims to provide easy installation of packages for every linux system. While they are still not completely done, they have prepared a package of Gaim. Have a look at this page to learn how to use this system.

Good luck, have a pleasant linux experience,
- drowstar

the amsn installer installs right from the .bin file with no compilation

Goodness how can you like Gaim more than Kopete?!? Have you tried the new Kopete 0.9.0 in KDE 3.3? It's fantasmo

(I must admit that Gaim is better than the Kopete 0.8.x series)

The gaim rpm should be on your install disks. Just go into the control centre, select "package management" then "install software" then type "gaim" into the bar, click on search. When it shows you the gaim package in the window, select it and then click install. It will ask you to put the appropriate disk in your drive and it will then install the package for you. That's it

If you want to avoid bothering with tar and rpms, just use yum or apt-get for painless installs. In case you don't have these programs, do a google search and download them. After that you will never worry about installation again.

you guys should try skype from skype.com! excellent stuff based on a p2p architecture.

skype is just great.

I use AMSN and it is really easy to install and works great.

- daffy