I'm working on OpenGL programs and I need to install GLUT 3.6 to compile and run my programs. What are the steps to install GLUT

Depending on your Linux distribution (Suse, Mandrake Redhat etc.), you should have the necessary installation files on the installation disk. Use the software installation tools from kde or others or do it in a shell. In principle the glut is only a library.
the other question is, your are sure it is not already installed? Just try in the XF86free-4 file to edit the line in:
load "GLcore"
in the Module section and see what happens.
Good luck
Lars

P.S. What graphic card you have? The nvidia-card driver has it already included.

Okay, I checked my software (I am openGL program user ;-))
Here the libary describtion (Mandrake 10.0):
Name: glut
Version:3.7-12
Größe: 212 KB

Zusammenfassung: GL Utility Toolkit (GLUT)

Beschreibung: GL Utility Toolkit (GLUT) is a 3-D graphics library which uses the OpenGL API.

Dateien:
?/usr/lib/libglut.so.3
?/usr/lib/libglut.so.3.7
Have fun
Lars

I have a Nvidia 128MB GeForce FX 5600 video card

where is XF86Free-4 file located

Okay, I added "Load GLcore" on the xorg.conf file and it wouldn't compile my opengl programs. what should I do to fix this problem

okay, go to sourceforg.net search for glut. Will look like this:
Project Name
Description
Files
Activity %


UNC Python Tools
A collection of Python extension modules including: a simple wrapper for OpenGL, GLUT, and GLU, a wrapper for the National Instruments NI-DAQ library, a GNU-readline work-alike for Windows written in Python, and more.

94.06%


freeglut
A free OpenGL utility toolkit, the open-sourced alternative to the GLUT library.

92.35%


GLUI User Interface Library
GLUI is a GLUT-based C++ user interface library which provides controls such as buttons, checkboxes, radio buttons, and spinners to OpenGL applications. It is window-system independent, using GLUT or FreeGLUT.

80.98%

go and download that freeglut for your distribution.
Then go to th nvidia homegage and load down the driver for your card. Its an selfexplanatory shellscript together with an Readme.txt.
Install both and enoy opengl.

Good luck
Lars

P.s. okay you found the correct file for editing.

I'm on sourceforge.net and typed in "GLUT". do I have to download all of them or one of them

Only the:
freeglut
A free OpenGL utility toolkit, the open-sourced alternative to the GLUT library.
then follow the link right for download. There will be several files for the different distributions. Take that one that fits,
Or you take the source code and compile yourself.
Lars

uups, found another:
http://www.opengl.org/resources/libraries/glut.html

here you find what you need.
Lars

Nvidia - Glut Howto (works for me)

If your trying to write code with opengl/glut, first make sure you have all the neccessary libraries, and header files (should be under /usr/include/GL). If your compiling your software through gcc to use the -lGL -lGLU to include glut, and opengl.