How do you install programs on linux?
 

I would like to know how to install programs on linux. The only one i have tried so far is 3D Desktop, but i wasn't even able to get that to work. I am running Red Hat Linux 9. How do i install this or any program?

do you know something called rpm. Do you even read redhat online documentation, OF COURSE NOT...SORRY FOR ASKING

you should read http://www.rpm.org/RPM-HOWTO/ it is essential reading for redhat (rpm) users.

that question is answered all over the place.
1)on this forum (use the search function)
2)in the redhat linux guide
3)on the instructions in the readme of the file you downloaded OR on the homepage of the thing ur trying to install.

which is probably why although every1 knows the answer, but no1 has answered you.



just incase you havent already found out for yourself ill get u started. There are 4 possible ways somthing is installed......

(1)
MOST likely. RPM.
the file will be named somthing.rpm
type 'man rpm' at a command line and read the output
usually, you will be
rpm -Uvh file.rpm (upgrade)
rpm -ivh file.rpm (install)
rpm -e file.rpm (un-install)

(2)
SOURCE CODE...
comes as file.tar.gz / file.tgz
or file.tar.bz2

decompress tar.gz's with 'tar -zxf file.tar.gz'
decompress tar.bz2's with 'tar -jxf file.tar.bz2'

cd into the decompressed directory, read the readme,
usually install by
'./configure'
'make'
'make install'

(3) an executable installer..
just run it or shell is
./installer.run or sh ./installer.sh

(4) precompiled tree.
just extract it wherever you want it, and run the binary.

okay ?