This may sound very simplistic, but, how do you install a downloaded RPM program file using SuSe 10.1 ? Is there a website anywhere that describes the process in a way that even a complete beginner with Linux can understand and follow along with ?

I just downloaded the newly released KOffice 1.5, which was said to be specifically for SuSe 10.1, but, YAST won't install it.

I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, but can't figure out what ?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

1. state what you are doing to get it installed with YaST
2. state in what way it dosn't work - do you get error messages?

You can always use the rpm command directly.

In a terminal

rpm -Uvh <package name>.rpm

You'll get lots of information.
Sometimes package managers will tell you they are checking out the rpm, then... nothing.

Have a look at:
http://www.slgfg.de/SLGFG/chapter33.html
http://groups.google.co.nz/group/nov...d9d2a4a0368b9a

OK, here's what's happening when I try to install the KOffice 1.5 RPM files I downloaded from the KDE.org website. Files the website said were speciffically for SuSe 10.1:

1) I double click on the RPM file, and after about a minute, a window pops up with the KOffice RPM file highlighted, and a banner which says "INSTALL WITH YAST".

2) I click on this "INSTALL WITH YAST" banner, and after about 2 minutes, the files in the RPM file appear to have been "unzipped", (for lack of a better description). I click on "NEXT" and I can see the dozens of files the RPM contained.

3) I try to find the .bin file in the list, but, can't identify it. Nor, can I see anything that says "setup", or "install", or anyting else that would indicate that's the file to start the actual installation process of the KOffice 1.5 module.

4) At that point, I'm lost and just close out the Window.

5) I go into KOffice Writer, click on "ABOUT" and see it's still version 1.4.2 and not 1.5 like I was trying to install.

Remember, I'm brand new to Linux. So please forgive me if my response and description sound like I don't have a clue what I'm talking about. Because the truth is... I don't ! (sorry)

But I will now read the 2 websites you gave me URL's for and see if that works. So, thank you for those also.

I just wish there was a good Linux book out there that explains these things. It seems like every Linux book I look at is either all about how to run programs and read more like a "How to do Windows" book. Or, are way too technical and over my head at this stage of my Linux experience. None of them that I've read talk about "how to install software".

Thanks again.

Joe

Riley has good books - including linux basics. However, there's no getting around it, linux books seldom have anything between the "for dummies" style and the "rocket scientist". This is due to the way the learning curve fits ... everything in bete=ween is on the web or in these forums ... there's a slow part when you first learn, mostly changing paradigms, then a real fast bit which you are on the edge of it seems where the in-between books would go, then another slow bit to fill in technical information for the serious user/developer.

Your result (if I take that 1min seriously to mean 60 seconds and not a metaphore for a short while) seems too long for YaST. Either your system is short on resources or there's something wrong. Do you have other system degradation as well?

rpm managers don't normally tell you what is inside the rpms themselves. You generally don't need to find a .bin or anything to use to install an rpm, the rpm program does that for you.

Oh - and YaST has an update facility. It is reccommended to use this instead of the unnofficial (non SuSE/Novell origin) rpms, at least until you are more comfortable.

The rpm command I gave you should work fine. The reading is for understanding.