URPMI install
 

I'm trying to 'configure' the media library plugin for XMMS, and when it gets to a certain point, I'm guessing the point where it creates the 'make' file, it's saying I need GLIB >= 1.2.2. Now I visited a different thread on this board directing me to the Easy Urpmi install page.
http://www.mandrivausers.org/easyurpmi/index.php

Now it's telling me to type certain things in as root.

I simply don't know what that is. I'm an extreme Linux noob, but I at least know that I need to open the console/terminal and type the commands in.

you need to install glib-devel. back in my mandrake days 4 years ago that was "urpmi glib-devel" and nothign more.

If you haven't set up your urpmi sources using EasyUrpmi, I encourage you to do so.

Open a terminal, su to root, and follow the instructions on the EasyUrpmi page. (Cut & Paste works very well. ;))

Then you can either use the "urpmi" command on the command line, or access the system using the Mandrake Conrol Center Software Installation tab.

A slightly more newb-friendly step-by-step would go like this:

Go to http://easyurpmi.zarb.org , select your distribution, select your sources, and then copy the text that appears at the bottom. Now open a terminal (Star menu->System->Terminals->Konsole), and type "su". You will then be prompted for your root password. Type it in and push enter. Now press and hold shift and press insert to paste the text you copied from the website. It should now start automatically adding your rpm sources. After this is done, you can open a terminal and type "urpmi whateverprogramyouwanttoinstall" or use the graphical tool to select the programs you want to install by going to Star menu->System->Configuration->Configure Your Computer (you'll be prompted for your root password)->Software Management

I think he's asking what root is. If you didn't set a root (administrator) password during install, you might not be asked for it. You sign in as root user to make changes to your system (such as installing software) that you don't have permission to do as ordinary user. You normally do this by typing 'su' in a terminal and giving roots password. This temporarily gives you 'root' permissions. You then sign out when finished by typing exit. You are advised never to sign in as root to the system. But to 'su' to root when needed.

All linux systems have a root user and at least one other user which are set up during install. Only using the root user when needed means your system is secure if intruders can't crack your root password. As an ordinary user you only have permission to alter settings in your home directory. Root can make system-wide changes.

So if you havn't set a root password, you probably should.