I am running mandrake 8.0 and love it! The problem i have is that i'm pretty new to linux and have searched many places and spent countless hours trying to learn some simple tasks. I tried linux about a year ago and gave up. Guess i wasnt ready for the challenge just yet. Anyway, i downloaded some files so i could watch dvd's on my linux box. (Without M$ Windows is my intention) I unzipped the file ok and and did what it said (tar xvf filename etc.) Next is to configure it! I'm lost! I cd to teh dir where it is and typed what i thought was correct and all i get is > What am i doing wrong.? I sure would love some help on this subject. Like i said i am new and would love to not have to use windows anymore other than for games! Thanks to anyone who can help!

In the directory you unzipped the program there should be file README, INSTALL or something similar. There will be detailed installation instructions for this program. In fact there is a method that will work in most cases:
./configure
make
make install
(be careful about . and /, they are important!).

You might want to look for an RPM version instead. They are pretty simple to install, especially for someone new to Linux.

i have since figured out the ./ i wasnt putting the dot in front of the / I have read the install.txt files and readme's but they arent very helpful in the fact they assume i know what i'm doing. There arent any rpm's that i found and i know htey are easier. I tried the make command is there something i am doing wrong there as far as type? and or the make install command? Thanks for the replies! At least i know i can get some assistance here! Unlike a Windows forum! hehe

Oh i did get one install to work after figuring out the ./ command. thanks

Bullwinkel

What errors are you still getting? Or are there any? If you are doing:

./configure
make
su root
make install

You should be good to go. Could be a problem of not having the kernel headers in the right path or having them at all. But seeing that you did get one prog. to compile and run, I assume there's just a little glitch somewhere in the process..

Okay, i am trying to install xine-0.4.3 is that makes a diff. I have typed this: and get that:

logged in as root also:

cd (to xine dir)
./configure
says autoconf ...missing
autoheader ...missing
checking for gcc ...no
checking for cc...no
configure: error: no acceptable cc found in $PATH


well thats not all of it but ya get the idea anyway
I am lost ! Please help