When i try to install a few programs using "# ./configure" it complies correctly all the way through until it gets stuck at

"checking for X ... configure: error: Can't find X includes. Please check your installation and add the correct paths."

I have looked in the accompanying readme files and found that i need to specify the X window path.

On my computer i think the pathway is /usr/X11R6 (does this sound right)
I need to use the configure option "--X-includes=DIR" and
"--X-libraries=DIR". What do i insert into that string is it

"# ./configure --X-libraries=DIR/usr/X11R6"
or
"# ./configure --X-libraries=/usr/X11R6"

(and do i need to further specify the include folder pathway i.e. /usr/X11R6/includes)

I have tried a few combinations so far and theu havent worked could someone help me by being more specific about the DIR bit.

(I am running FC1 with GNOME and have been a linux user for about 4 weeks maybe)

Make sure

/usr/X11R6/bin

is in your PATH and try this:

./configure --X-includes=/usr/X11R6/includes --X-libraries=/usr/X11R6/lib

how can I go about adidng it to my path?

If you are using bash you can add it to ~/.bash_profile there should already be a path statement just add to existing one. But this sounds like you don't have the XFree86-devel
package installed.

you were right about the XFree86-devel package missing.....thanks =)