ok then, i'm still fuzzy about how to compile programs, i'll tell you what i've got:
open a terminal
change to the program file (cd blah)
type 'make'
and this is where i lose it, i was told to type 'make install' now, but a friend gave me another way that was something like -c 'make all' or something, plz help, and keep it simple, i'm the newest of the new , thanks

Welcome to LQ.

You seem to be missing the most important step: Read the README and INSTALL files. More often than not the instructions are in intricate detail. The INSTALL file invariably starts off with 'These are general instruction', in which case you can rest assured that the process will be as follows:
./configure
make
su root
(enter root's password)
make install

Oh, and in your details (to the left of the screen), the Distribution bit is all about which offering of Linux you run: Red Hat, Mandrake, SuSE, Slackware, Debian... - just though I'd let you know.