newbie questions

firstone · 08-31-2007, 12:57 PM

I am new at linux but succefully installet Ubuntu anyway. A couple of questions;

Is it possible to do everything or nearly everything from the Desktop without going to Terminal and typing it?

I am trying to install Dynamips.

In terminal and assuming I can't do this in Desktop, how do I create Symlinks to executables? I created a couple but I get a message saying that "file is not found". Do I need to do something with the Path command?

Thanks for your help.

Okie · 08-31-2007, 01:05 PM

for a symlink (shortcut) for xterm on your desktop type this in a terminal:

ln -s /usr/bin/xterm ~/Desktop

the same command will symlink any other app for you:

ln -s /usr/bin/gimp ~/Desktop

not sure about Dynamips

pixellany · 08-31-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Is it possible to do everything or nearly everything from the Desktop without going to Terminal and typing it?

In principle, yes. However, I have found that many things are easier in a terminal.

Linking:
I have found that the most reliable way of making links is what I call "linking in": In the directory where you wan the link, type:
ln -s /full/pathname/filename
This creates a link named "filename" in the current directory
OR:
ln -s /full/pathname/filename linkname
Same link, but now with a different name than the target file.

In KDE/Konquerer, you can drag a file or folder to another and select the "link here" option. Don't know if Gnome has that...

firstone · 08-31-2007, 02:02 PM

Thanks for your help.

One more question. How do I create an executable file from a bin file? I understand I have to use chmode or something like it.

Thanks again

Samotnik · 08-31-2007, 03:18 PM

You do.
Type in terminal chmod +x <your_file>.

pixellany · 08-31-2007, 04:25 PM

I just edited my earlier post to fix a mistake.

firstone · 08-31-2007, 05:58 PM

When I tried the Windows like drag and drop that you mention it keeps telling me that I am not authorized to do the operation even if I am logged in as root. How can get full permissions for everything?

Thanks

Okie · 08-31-2007, 07:34 PM

you are probably trying to move the file, you dont want to move a file to create a link to it, you need to link it (like a shortcut in windows)...

pixellany · 08-31-2007, 11:49 PM

Logged into the Ubuntu graphical interface as root? Are you sure? (In Ubuntu, it takes two configuration changes to do that)

Quote:

you are probably trying to move the file, you dont want to move a file to create a link to it, you need to link it (like a shortcut in windows)...

He's responding to my comment that you can drag a file in KDE and use the "link here" option. I don't know how this works in Gnome.

ehawk · 09-01-2007, 12:47 AM

http://www.dit.upm.es/vnumlwiki/index.php/Install-dyna

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-94640.html

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=255573

Google is your friend.

Fusi · 09-01-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstone

I am new at linux but succefully installet Ubuntu anyway. A couple of questions;

Is it possible to do everything or nearly everything from the Desktop without going to Terminal and typing it?

I am trying to install Dynamips.

In terminal and assuming I can't do this in Desktop, how do I create Symlinks to executables? I created a couple but I get a message saying that "file is not found". Do I need to do something with the Path command?

Thanks for your help.

If you expect all things could be done without ever using the terminal, linux is not the right OS for you!
please read this:

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

firstone · 09-05-2007, 06:08 PM

The problem I am having is that I get a "No such file or directory" when I try and run Dynamips even after following all instructions.

What are the biggest reasons for this message?

Thanks

pixellany · 09-05-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstone

The problem I am having is that I get a "No such file or directory" when I try and run Dynamips even after following all instructions.

What are the biggest reasons for this message?

Thanks

assuming that the file is **somewhere**, then this message means that it is not in your PATH system variable. In these cases, you have to cd to the directory where the executable file is, and do ./filename. This command translates to: Run the command "filename" in this directory--don't look for it in PATH."

To add the directory to the PATH variable---suppose your file is in /opt/bin:
export PATH=$PATH:/opt/bin

Now you can run that file from anywhere.

firstone · 09-05-2007, 07:19 PM

the file Dynamips-0.2.7-RC3-x86.bin is in the directory of usr/local/bin but weather I run it from there or somewhere else with the ./ it still syas "bash: ./usr/local/bin/dynamips: no such file or directory".

Do you have any more ideas about the possible reason?

Thanks

pixellany · 09-05-2007, 08:43 PM

OK--now you are talking about 2 different files. Start with the error message---Go to /usr/local/bin and see if there is a file named dynamips. Assuming that there is, then I would assume that it is being called by the other one. If so, then you have no choice but to put /usr/local/bin in your PATH variable. (The ./ trick only works to the first file you execute.)

If it is NOT there, then we need to backtrack thru your installation process and find where it is.