Ubuntu does not have the gnu c compiler installed by default. Use the command 'apt-get install build-essential' and the compiler will be installed. Hope this helps.

It looks like you had already posted what you need to type:

./configure linux --prefix=/usr

Try this and see if you get any further. And if you do use su to gain root access, please use su - . This will load root's path. Of course your best bet is always sudo.

I have a question...

Did anyone think to try searching Synaptic Package for this? I've got Ubuntu Breezy, and checked the repositories, and search and rescue is there. You can also get all of the build-essentials, but if you add the repositories, then all you need is there. I don't know about you guys, but Synaptics is the noob's easy way of mass-apt-getting. I have search and rescue that runs very nice, despite the sound server....anyway, I know this post is old, but I thought I'd offer my 2cents while searching for my sound problem. Use ubuntuguide.org for some stuff, but note that it's for hoary not breezy. hope it helps!