curious
 

Being a newb, getting into the linux and programming world "late" and wanting to understand more than I could probably fathom at this moment in time, I am curious to know if there is someone that could possibly assist.

I am not sure if this is even the correct forum to begin this subject, but what the heck.

As stated I am newb to the wide and wonderful world of LINUX (Slackware 10.2)and as such I am wanting to do all that is possible. For instance I wanted to update my FireFox 1.0.6 to the latest stable version of 1.5.

In my readings I came across a forum where there was a gentleman talking about his trials and tribulations. He goes on to state how he upgraded his FireFox.
my question lies with step number 2. What really is the difference between a package and a build - and more curios what is http://www.michael-bueker.de/files/f...fox.SlackBuild
for?

I am baffled and even though I sounded long winded at the opening of this subject - I am curious and request info towards my question.

Any one want to venture in offering a hint??

The best way to start learning slackware (and Linux in general) would be to look at
www.slackware.com
www.slackbook.org
www.slackersbible.org
www.tldp.org

A build script contains all the options and instructions to build and install a software from source code. A package (as it is used in general terms) is a prepackaged (you don't have to build...just install it) software for a particular distro. If you build your own software from source, you get to dictate how you want to build it...with prepackaged, you are relying on someone else to do the hardwark for you.

One of the best books on Linux is Rute user's tutorial and exposition by Paul Sheer. Search BN or Amazon for it. Nice to have a book handy to get started.

Edit: You can always get a prepackaged firefox from slackware.com. Once you download that just do a
Tux,