But LimeWire has the additional requirement of a Sun Java installation, which is not easier to do (for new users) than setting up a repo, then getting yumex and start adding packages in no time.

java
 

I had that problem too, but I found a really great step by step on how to install Java. I will see if I can find it again.

found it...
 

http://www.java.com/en/download/help...selfextracting

Pretty easy to figure out. The java vesion has changed since then so the file name is a bit different. Also, if you are not using mozilla (perhaps firefox) it is a differnt pluggins directory, but still works the same way.

The easiest way to set up java is (as you have pointed out) to install the self extracting version and then use the commands "alternatives" (/usr/sbin/alternatives) to set that installation as the system's default and create all necessary symbolic links.

For fedora a great resource is www.fedorafaq.org. Also have a look at the Stanton-Finley Installation Notes. Both explain in detail how to get mp3 support and java working.

video
 

Since we are on te subject of media... What is an easy way to get video support? MPlayer looks very complicated to install, as does VLC. Is there at least an up to date site that has clear directions for installing in fedora?

Again, first get the other repos installed (in a nutshell: go to http://stentz.freshrpms.net or http://rpm.livna.org) and install their releases to get their repos configured, then "yum-away!".

Note:
Livna and Freshrpms packages tend to be incompatible with one another, and freshrpms occasionally may not play all that well with Extras and Base, while Livna's are designed to; however there are packages that are not available on Livna (like VLC), which only requires a 'yum install videolan-client' when the Freshrpms repository is configured. Or if you have Yumex (a must!) you can install it graphically.

Edit:
Let us not forget about Ogle and Xine too! By far I like Xine more than mplayer, and only use the later, when the former can't open stuff... Ohh, and for its excellent plugin, a MUST have.

The links I provided have all the info you need, not only the repop to download from adn the packages you need, but also instruction on how to get and install the necessary codecs.

:cry: I know this has drifted from the original subject somewhat, but...
I try installing Xine from an .rpm that I get off stentz and I get this message.
Now what do I do?
"Error: Missing Dependency: libXvMCW.so.1 is needed by package xine-lib"


Edit: Also a file ending in '.ppc.rpm' what is that one for? It gives an eror with another missing dependency, but I have never seen the .ppc before.

the missing dependency is provided by xorg-x11-libs (check out rpmseek.com to find where a missing dependency can be found).

If you use an installer like yum this sort of dependency is usually resolved automatically.

ppc is an architectur (PowerPC). If you have a pentium or AMD processor (which you probably do) you need an i#86 package

If you are using yum, that should solve the dependency automagically. Follow the instructions at http://ayo.freshrpms.net to install the yum repo in stentz.

Hi, I have Fedora 4 x86_64 installed, I used the fedorafaq.org instruction on how to install the livna repositories in yum. I have Mplayer installed, can watch mpg, mpeg, wmw also installed XMMS to play mp3, got everything from the livna repositories, yum solved all dependencies :)

MSI K8N Neo4, AMD Athlon 64 3500+, Corsair 2x512 DDR400, Gainward FX 6600 GT 256 Mb PCI-express, S-ATA 1x250 Gb, 2x160 Gb, 17” TFT, WinXP Pro, SuSE 10.0, FC4.

I used yum and that was the message I recieved.
I have only had Linux for about two weeks now so I know pretty much nothing. Is there a site that has a video player that gives you all the correct install files and instructions on how to use them?

Have you looked at the fedorafaq.org or Stanton Finley setup guides, as has been suggested several times further up this thread? If you have, and following them gives you the error, that is a problem. If not, I suggest trying them. They are generally pretty good.

If yum can't find xorg-x11-libs then chances are you ONLY configured livna, but didn't create the basic setup for yum (i.e. update and extras from the fedora project) or specifically turne them off.
Read, copy and try again.