im sorry for asking for help but im very new to linux i got to download and install a program
it tell me to do all this thing like log on to root witch i dont know what it mean so i need some help there and to type the stuff it tell me to type in command and nothing happens.
can someone please tell me what im doing worng thanks..

Okay What have you downloaded? sources? an RPM? what distro?

To get to root from a normal user type

su

It will then ask you for the root password, type it in ( warning: usually nothing will appear as you type not even stars ).

Then you will be root.

hi shadizzle,

don't be sorry to ask for help!! linux is all about users getting together to help each other - hence this forum..

so you've downloaded some software you want to install. what sort of file is it? if it's source code, chances are it'll be a 'compressed' archive, normally indicated by a .tgz extension to the filename.

usually to install software, you've got to gain 'root' privileges - it's an important part of maintaining system security and preventing mistakes from trashing the OS. However, we could do with some more information - what are you trying to install, and which distro are you using?

well i figered out yahoo instant messenger the only thing i cant figer out is installing limewire

o and im using mandrakelinux 10.1

shadizzle,

my opinion, you admitted you were new to Linux, but you are giving it a try anyway. That's more than most users will do, so you have nothing to be sorry about. That's what this board is for.



AceMan

thanks everyone for understanding

hi,

if you're installing LimeWire, you'll also need to install the Java runtime environment. Depending on which version of Mandrake you use, you might find it on your installation CDs - do a search on 'J2RE' from within the Control Centre software installation module..

Failing that, you can go to Sun Microsystems' website and download it -

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp

choose 'Download JRE'. After accepting the software license agreement, you'll be presented with a list of files for different platforms. Under Linux you've got two choices - RPM or non-RPM. I'd choose RPM. You should then be able to install it simply by double clicking from within Konqueror..

Once you've got Java installed, to install LimeWire, you'll need to open a console window (look for 'Konsole' in System -> Terminals on your main menu) and run the LimeWire installer. If you downloaded LimeWire to your /home directory, you should be able to just type -

this will launch the installer and install LimeWire into your /home directory..

Good luck!

thank you very much this operating system is really hard to install program... why?

Its hard because your not using your distro's installation system, In mandrake they use files called rpms, which are very easy to install. You probably have some programs on your system to help you install programs that are available.

Once you step outside those pieces of software provided by your Distro, things can get a bit messy, but after a while you'll figure this out as well.

It just a bit diffrent and takes a bit if getting used too.

hi,

yes, got to agree with leonscape here.. sometimes though you've got no choice but to venture beyond what your distro provides, which is what you've had to do with LimeWire..

On this subject, if you're using Mandrake, i'd recommend that you add some more sources of software which has been specially prepared for the distro, which can then be easily installed using Mandrake Control Centre.

To do this, go to -

http://easyurpmi.zarb.org/

This is an easy-to-use means of setting up the Mandrake URPMI software installer so that it includes sources ('Mirrors') from the WWW. I would recommend you choose to add the 'Contrib' and 'PLF' sources. Make sure that you use the sources correct for your distribution - ie, choose Mandrake Version carefully.

The website will give you a couple of lines of code that need to be copied into a console window (you'll need also to make sure you switch to the root user by typing 'su' then entering your root password).. the easiest way to copy is to highlight the lines of code with your left mouse button, then go into your console window and click the middle mouse button - the code will be copied, you just need to press 'enter'...

If all goes well, the new software will be available from within Mandrake Control Centre - just search for what you want, select it, and it will be downloaded and installed for you. By far the easiest way of installing!