I can't install downloaded s/w in Mandrake 10.1. ('cause I have no idea what I'm doing)... see list of questions below intro.

The saga begins:
There are a few aplications I would like to install, including a simple one from tangentsoft dot com called fcalc. (lq won't let me post the u r l here as I'm too new).


I've installed the required Tcl/Tk and Tix from the Mandrake 10.1 distro. Easy 'nuff.

I've downloaded the fcalc-tcl.tar.gz file and saved it
under: /home/myaccount/fcalc

I've unpacked it using ark into:
/home/myaccount/fcalc/fcalc-1.00

I've tried running the script in the install file above in a terminal by pasting it to the terminal program (opened the text in Kate, copied, dropped to terminal).

Won't go. I get a variety of errors I don't understand... a small sampling iof which:
[myaccount@DOMAIN fcalc-1.00]$ $INSTALL -d -m 755 $BINDIR
bash: -d: command not found
[myaccount@DOMAIN fcalc-1.00]$ $INSTALL -d -m 755 $LIBDIR
bash: -d: command not found
[myaccount@DOMAIN fcalc-1.00]$ $INSTALL -d -m 755 $LIBDIR/help
bash: -d: command not found

etc.

Questions:
1) Am I installing from the right place (myaccount)?

2) Am I running the script correctly? (I just pasted it into a terminal [ Konsole]). It won't run by simply double clicking the install in a file list (Konquerer)

3) Am I correct to assume that the supplied install script should run without trouble or modification?

4) Should I be in root privileges to install the s/w?

I've searched but I can't find a "lead me by the hand" example for a confused soul such as myself.

Cheers,
Alan
(PS: I posted a similar thread the other day, here, but it seems lost, or I posted it do a different forum ... in any case I can't find my post or replies).

There should be a file in the package called README, which should contain installation instructions. Have you read it?

Hi there! The reason your thread lost is probably because this all slightly unclear what you're trying to do.
If the s/w stands for "Soldiers at War" then it is really messy - kidding, kidding
If you're trying to programm in java then it's different matter. I personally do not programm on java, however studied for some extent. But here:
http://pandonia.canberra.edu.au/java

Yes, I've read the README's. Yes, I've followed their instructions.

In my first post I asked 4 questions.. If somebody could reply to those, or some of those it would help.

to run a program (or script) in the current working directory, add ./ in front of the program example:

./INSTALL

that will launch the installer (and yes you have to be root).

Ah, that worked (other programs installed by dble-clicking the INSTALL, fcalc didn't).,


BUT: the program itself still won't run... (not sure where it installed to either ... it's not in usr/local/bin or usr/local/bin/fcalc)

ah ... one step at a time...

Cheers,
Alan

..saga continues ...


Managed to install Firefox. Effortless.

fcalc --- seemed to install ... now can't find how to run the damnned thing.

gimp 2.2.0 --- disaster ... can't install, can't configure (although seemed to be working ...) won't 'make'.

Learning .. sl o w l y.