OK I've got the Where to install linux programs (i think):
Where: cant post the url cuz it's my first post

I've got the how to install them:
How: can't post the url cuz it's my first post

now here's the next part...

I've un-gziped FireFox ... into the wrong place ... but I can fix that.

I'm running Mandrake 10 - I've created a link to the application on my desktop, now I've got to believe that icon doesn't have to be an ugly gear right? it can be the FireFox icon right? how do I do that?

Also how do I add icons to my 'start menu' ?

That'll do for this post

If it's not obvoius this is my first somewhat succseful foray into the world of Linux - Everytime before this I couldn't even get the video working, this time I'm NETWORKED Woo Hoo! - Um yeah so's anyway I'm sure there is more you need to know? I 99% certain I'm using KDE as my desktop. if not it's Gnome.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

I am guessing you are using KDE. (By the way Welcome to LQ ) Right click the icon and click Properties. In the properties, you will see a large square with the 'gears' on it - click it. You then get a page of icons. If none of them are any use to you, click the second radio button and click Browse. Browse to your icon and select it.

To add items to the menu, right click your "start button" (or KDE button or whatever you want to call it). Select Menu Editor, add menu items by right clicking the section heading and clicking "Add New Item". Then fill in the blanks. You can select the icon in the same way you do in the above paragraph.

Firefox has icons for which you can use. Once everything is extracted...they are under the icons folder (go fig).

Thanks to both of you I've now got a real icon... now onto my next simple ? .. later .. in a new post