I have have recently received an Acer Aspire One laptop running Linux Linpus. I've never used Linux before. How do I instal applications? More specifically, how do I install Thunderbird? I have downloaded the Thunderbird.tar.gz file. What do I do next?
Simple as you can please! Other forums make little sense to me.

Welcome to LQ!!

One of the very first things to learn on Linux is the Package Manager---it is in your menus somewhere--under the name of Install SW, Install Applications, or something like that. Normally you want to install things using the package manager before trying anything else.

In the case of Thunderbird, it's pretty easy.
Open the terminal**
enter "su" to become root
locate the tar.gz file (probably) in Desktop
move it to /opt
extract using "tar -xzvf filename"
go into the directory that is created
run the thunderbird script

Here are the exact commands, assuming the file is in Desktop, and is named thunderbird.tar.gz (I'll use a wildcard which works as long as there are no files with similar names.)

**Here are some links on where to find the terminal in that particular netbook

As with other Linux distributions, Linpus - which is what runs on the Aspire - has a repository, so there is no need to download applications. Have you explored the repository?

There is a mail client that comes with the Aspire, is there a reason you don't want to use that? Thunderbird is a fairly heavyweight application, so unless there is a very important reason you need Thunderbird, I'd advise you use the mail client that comes with it as it is fast and specifically set up for the Aspire.

If Thunderbird is not in the repository and you absolutely have to have it, you can just uncompress it to a subdirectory and run the thunderbird script to invoke the program.

Hi Guys. Thanks for your help but I have a couple of problems. I can't see the Package Manager anywhere in the Settings menu (or anywhere else for that matter). Where might it be?

Secondly, when I type in SU it prompts me for a password, which I don't have.

Thirdly I don't know where to find the repository.

You might want to check out this forum http://www.aspireoneuser.com/forum/v...hp?f=39&t=5105

To change the root password, use Alt-F2 to run Terminal, then change to root user with ’sudo su’ and then change the password with passwd.


Make sure your root password is not the same as your user password and that it is not just your name. Preferably make it a random series of letters and numbers you can writw down somewhere safe and secure just in case you forget it.

IIRC, once you have done this the repository will be available. Right click, System | Add/Remove Software. You will then have to enter this root password every time you want to add a program.

One piece of advice, AFAIK, this is not like the Mandriva repositories where there are lots of mirrors, I think there is just the one location. It does sometimes fail. If this happens, just try to reinstall the software.

BTW, the previous poster is right. The Aspire One forum is good for the quirks that are particular to Linpus.

heres another how to for you.maybe this can help
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/09...pire_one_tips/

Nice article, Strato, thanks!