General noob questions
 

1. OTher than RPM and compiling from source, what ways are there to
install programs on linux?

2. is .bin the equivilant to .exe? if not, what is?

3. Im using Gnome. is KDE more common? Do programs written
for one usually run on the other?

Thats it for now. Sorry for complete noob questions.

1. slapt-get if you are running Slackware or apt-get if you are running Debian. Both of them connect directly to a remote server, download, and install.

2. Kind of - it's a self extracting file that probably most resembles a .exe. Most common install type for me (Slackware 9.1) is source (.tar.gz or .tgz)
$> tar -zxvf thefile.tar.gz
$> cd thefile
$> make
$> make test
$> make install
$> make clean

This can vary - always read the README or INSTALL file in the source directory after unzipping and untaring the file.

3. Gnome and KDE usually run the other's apps okay - but some don't quite work right. Which one you use is up to you - I used to use KDE but have switched to using Gnome (2.4) because it play better with gtk apps.

3. If its specifically programmed to run in KDE... no it will not run in Gnome and vice-versa.

What distribution are you running?

P.S. once you've used Linux as your main OS/desktop environment - it sure is hard to go back to Windows (although I still do for gaming.)

Good point, vi0lat0r - I installed both so I can use either, although I remember only one was checked on the install - I know that was the case when I used MDK 8.1.

>1. slapt-get if you are running Slackware or apt-get if you are running Debian. Both of >them connect directly to a remote server, download, and install.

>2. Kind of - it's a self extracting file that probably most resembles a .exe. Most common >install type for me (Slackware 9.1) is source (.tar.gz or .tgz)
>$> tar -zxvf thefile.tar.gz
>$> cd thefile
>$> make
$> make test
$> make install
>>$> make clean

>This can vary - always read the README or INSTALL file in the source directory >after unzipping and untaring the file.

>3. Gnome and KDE usually run the other's apps okay - but some don't quite work >right. Which one you use is up to you - I used to use KDE but have switched to using >Gnome (2.4) because it play better with gtk apps.



Im running Mandrake 9.1

1. what does the -zxvf in tar mean?
2. so a tar.gz is a tar inside a zip. Isnt that a bad idea?
3. Make? please explain this command a little better
4. Ive double clicked a .bin file, as well as tried to run from command
prompt. It doesnt do anyting. Linux equalivalent to "bad command or file name"

-learning how to walk again... thanks in advance

1. Easiest answer is to type "man tar" at the terminal, it gives you the full description of tar, and every modifier. Here are what those 4 modifiers do to a tar file:
-z does the unzip
-v is verbose, it gives you a description of everything it does
-f is file, not real sure on how that works, but it every time I do a tar f is in there
-x is exclude I believe

2. You're right in that it is a tar inside a zip, but no it isn't a bad idea. It is 2 different methods of compression, so together you get a super tight package

3. Make is more along the lines of what happens at first when you click on an exe file for something you haven't installed yet. It goes through the install, doing things like checking for dependencies, and putting files in the locations they will be called from/ The various makes (clean, install, etc) split the functions. If you don't mind temporary files used only during the install hanging around, then don't do a make clean, it simply cleans up after an install.

4. You won't get far double clicking things in Linux. Bin files might do the installing, but you need to go through the readme file that comes in a tar.gz, and type in just what it tells you. I get the impression you like the mouse. That is fine, but you'll find life is much easier on this side of the force if you get very friendly with the terminal. It allows you to give commands that are followed, and is about the only way to get through installs at the very least. The Linux gurus at my work often use only the terminal, they don't even bother installing Xwindows, as they have no need for it. About all I use X for is graphical internet, and from my post count you can see I'm also quite new.

Best of luck, and have fun with your box!

Peace,
JimBass