just don't understand a thing...

Steve1981 · 10-18-2009, 07:24 AM

I can't install anything on this platform UBUNTU 804, is there an absolute automatic installation for firefox and other progs, if not then i'll just have to go back to windows...deb, tar i have no idea, i've read lots and lots of forums posts and even the ubuntu sites and just dont understand it all, is there any simple way of installing things by just clicking on the downloaded file?

pixellany · 10-18-2009, 07:32 AM

Welcome to LQ!!

Have you used the package manager? (Adept or Synaptics--look in the menus) Once you get used to the typical Linux package manager, I think you'll see some real advantage over Windows.

Firefox, for example, will be in the package manager--no need to install separately. In fact, I'm surprised it was not installed by default.

Steve1981 · 10-18-2009, 07:40 AM

it does have it, but when i went onto my banking site it said that i need the latest version to use the site, so i clicked on the link to mozilla and downloaded it, and that's when i get stuck, i don't know what to do with it

pixellany · 10-18-2009, 08:04 AM

This is off-topic, but I'm surprised at a banking site that officially supports Firefox, but is dependent on the latest release. I'd like some details if you want to share. (Getting websites to play nice with FF is one of my hobbies.)

One easy way to get the latest Firefox is to upgrade to the latest Ubuntu, but lets look at some other things first:

1. What version of FF do you have, and what version is available in the package manager?

2. You can install your downloaded Firefox by simply moving the file into /opt and extracting:
Open a terminal and do this:
Let's assume that the downloaded file is on your desktop:

Code:

cd Desktop
sudo mv fire* /opt    ##I'm assuming there is only one file starting with "fire"--put in just enough so it's not ambiguous
cd /opt
sudo tar -xjvf fire*
cd fire*
./firefox    ##this runs the newly-installed version---to always run this, you will need to set up a link somewhere.  If everything works to this point, then we can help you with the rest

If you have never used the terminal in Ubuntu, note a quirk: Since Ubuntu does not enable the root (admin) user by default, you have to use "sudo" with any command that needs admin privileges.

Let me know if you want an explanation of what all these commands are doing.

Steve1981 · 10-18-2009, 09:24 AM

I don't really know what I did, but I somehow installed a program that is for installing mozilla programs and some others, it also made available updates for firfox without doing it myself, so i find it a bit easier now, it will now notify me of updates, i'm not too sure if this was right but i read that ubuntu disabled it's updates for firefox. I think the bank site needed some addons or something so it suggested that i update, but i won't have to worry about it now as it will notify me of updates and install them for me automatically

dasy2k1 · 10-18-2009, 10:58 AM

firstly STOP!

never download anything from a website and try to install it on linux unless there is no other way...

go to System--> Administration--> Synaptic pakage manager.
type your password into the box...
then click the blue reload arrow
when this is done click mark all upgrades, then apply
some minutes later everything should be back to the latest version

pixellany · 10-18-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dasy2k1

firstly STOP!
never download anything from a website and try to install it on linux unless there is no other way...

Whoa!!! You make it sound like a crisis if someone installs SW that is not in the official package system. The package manager is the EASIEST way to go, but it's quite OK to also use downloads.

We don't know exactly what OP has done.......

Steve;

Did you install Firefox from the download, or did you use the package manager?

Distros typically disable the FF auto-update---pesumably because it would confuse the package manager which is supposses to keep track of such things..

All this aside, remember rule #1: "If it works, it's OK."

craigevil · 10-19-2009, 02:57 AM

Nothing wrong with using Mozilla's Firefox, it works great for me in debian.

Install / Upgrade Firefox 3.5.3 In Ubuntu (Linux) | Jaxov - http://jaxov.com/2009/09/install-upg...-ubuntu-linux/

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3) Gecko/20090824 Firefox/3.5.3

Or you can do it the Ubuntu way:
FirefoxNewVersion - Community Ubuntu Documentation - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FirefoxNewVersion

Steve1981 · 10-19-2009, 04:55 AM

I got bored of ubuntu and installed opensuse, previously ubuntu was the only one I ever came across a few years ago so i wanted to fing something different (mainly I don't like the bar across the top of the screen annd the brown tones everywhere) plus I don't want to do too much configuring to get what I want, and suse seems good from the start...and thanks for the info everyone...

but anyway...there is just one thing I want to know how to do, how to install a particular game on opensuse, I have seen the game preinstalled on old versions of ubuntu, and from what I found on the internet it is called Epiphany. But I don't know what to do with it, where do i extract the files to?, what code if any do i need to type in and where, I've been reading forums and posts all over the internet and just can't follow them and am getting close to throwing laptop out the window ...lol, please can someone help me in baby steps...

Steve1981 · 10-19-2009, 08:06 AM

Amarok won't play my music, is there something that i have to do to make it work? I've adde all the songs and the such and when i try to play it it just does nothing...anyone have any clues?

repo · 10-19-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve1981

Amarok won't play my music, is there something that i have to do to make it work? I've adde all the songs and the such and when i try to play it it just does nothing...anyone have any clues?

I would suggest to start a new thread for this problem.
Give as much info as possible, and use a title which describes the problem.
Did you solved the problem with firefox and the banking site ?

damgar · 10-19-2009, 08:28 AM

http://amarok.kde.org/wiki/MP3_on_SUSE_Linux_10.2 might help. Good luck.

pixellany · 10-19-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve1981

I've been reading forums and posts all over the internet and just can't follow them and am getting close to throwing laptop out the window ...lol, please can someone help me in baby steps...

Three things:
1. Please start a new thread for questions that are unrelated. (In our minds, "just don't understand a thing" now means "latest FF and banking".)

2. In your new threads, use titles that describe the specific issue.

3. With reference to the above, you need to tell us what specifically you dont understand, starting with the instructions that come with the software. (eg the README file)

Also, beware of switching distros to solve a problem....

onebuck · 10-19-2009, 09:13 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

This is off-topic, but I'm surprised at a banking site that officially supports Firefox, but is dependent on the latest release. I'd like some details if you want to share. (Getting websites to play nice with FF is one of my hobbies.)
<snip>
Let me know if you want an explanation of what all these commands are doing.

I get this response from my credit union all the time. At one point in time 'IE' was the supported browser. After emails by myself and others then the web master (who at the time was M$ certified) made changes. Just the right button being pushed by share members will get things done. Some of the FF requirements are due to security changes or problems, so the posted information is for the users security.

Yes, I would like to know everything so please explain for understanding.