Since I started using RH, I have only installed and run one app successfully: SETI.

I do not understand what's happening with my other installed apps. I can find them, but how do I make them functional?? Am I missing something here?

For example, I installed ntp.4.1.1 a time-sync app. I can find it in my /etc sub-directory listed. But how do I start the application?

And OO.org I have installed. whereis showed me its location in my home dir. But how do I start the application??

Please be specific as to what I should do.

SETI ran automatically after install, but for these others I don't have a clue. Thanks.

Generally speaking, if you install an application called "someapp", the executable will be "/usr/bin/someapp" or possibly "/usr/sbin/someapp" or "/bin/someapp". If you see a file called "/etc/someapp", that is the configuration file for someapp. Configuration files are generally stored either in the "/etc" directory or hidden in your home directory. Exectuables are usually stored in a directory that has "bin" somewhere in the name. "Bin" is short for binary and these files are essentially the same as Windows files with a ".exe" extentsion.

This is a good way to find an executable. At a terminal, run "su". You will be prompted for the root password. Once you enter it successfully, run "updatedb". This may take some time. It will update the "locate" database. When that has finished, type "exit". That will log off root. Now type "locate -i someapp | grep bin". This locates all files with someapp in the pathname (and the -i make the search case-insensitive). The rest of that command pipes ("|") the output (likely a long list of files) into grep which searches for the pattern "bin". The result is most likely the file you want. Just to make sure, you could type "file /usr/bin/someapp". This will give you some information about what type of file you have. It should say something about it being an executable. Once you have found the executable, simply type into the terminal the name of the app ("/usr/bin/someapp") and it will run. Voilla.

That's the long, most sure-fire way. The short answer is that the executable is probably on your path (type "echo $PATH" to find out what's on your path) and all you have to do is type "someapp" at a terminal and press return. Simple as that.

Now, if you want to make an icon on your desktop, you should provide some specifics about your distro, whether you're using Gnome or KDE, etc.

Oops, my bad. I see you're running Redhat. If you want to create an icon on your desktop (assuming your using Gnome, I can't say about KDE), first fine the name of the binary, right-click the destkop, select "New Launcher". A Create Launcher windows will pop up. Fill in the blanks. The most important one is "Command" which is where you enter "/usr/bin/someapp". You can choose an icon. Click OK. You're done.

As far as putting the programs you install in the Main Menu (the RH version of the "Start Menu"), that's a pretty difficult thing to do, I think. As far as I know, that involves manually editing some configuration files. Maybe not the best thing for the beginner to try, unless you're really adventurous.

Good luck.

KDE, right click the desktop, New > Application Shortcut, Execute, there is an obvious space for the executable name.

I do wish Linux apps were more logically named -
appname.msi = installation
appname.exe = executable
appname.ini = initalisation file
somename.dll = libary
is so logical

/usr/bin/appname = programm - perhapps
/etc/appname = config
appname.0.3164.i386.src.rpm = install possibly
/usr/bin/somename = libvary, or maybe a programme thats also a libary

not so neat....

Installs that create a startup shortcut would be nice (say
/home/username/.shortcuts for single user apps, or .shortcuts/) which KDE / GNOME or any of the other GUI's would pick up would be nice

For a newbie linux seams so random and the lack of a file extention doesn't help you work out what the file is (perhaps a text file, or an installer, or a programm, or a libary, or a config file)....

to add something to the KDE menu, open up the Control Center. On the right, expand the Desktop category, and select Panels. On the top, go to the Menus tab, anf click 'Edit KMenu'. The rest is self-explanatory.

Shep and others, thanks for your lengthly how-to on initiating apps. I printed it and will be digesting it over the next few days.

Kurt