I am using Mandrake 9.1 and unable to view .gif pictures in any web browser. The message says that i have to download Java -xm plug-in. please help me how to install those plug-ins. Also, please tell me about how to install softwares from .rpm.bin or .tar.gz files.

download the java plugin
go for the .rpm version

konqueror picks the java install up straight away but other browsers need a little help

you need to put a symbolic link in the plugin folder of each browser
this is done like this

first

open a terminal (preferably gnome terminal or konsole cus they allow copy and paste which saves some typing time)
su to soot
type "updatedb"
wait till process finishes
then type
"locate libjavaplugin_oji.so"

you'll get a few lines like this returned
/usr/lib/mozilla-1.3/plugins/libjavaplugin_oji.so
/usr/java/j2re1.4.1_01/plugin/i386/ns600/libjavaplugin_oji.so
/usr/java/j2re1.4.1_01/plugin/i386/ns610/libjavaplugin_oji.so
(this shows three locations)

type (as root)

"ln -s /path/to/plugin /path/to/browser/pluginfolder"

example:

ln-s /usr/java/j2re1.4.1_01/plugin/i386/ns610/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/local/netscape/plugins

(in above example there is 1 space between each section of the command)


to install from rpm you can do it the quick way or the slow way

the quick way
open file browser, find rpm, click on it, type root password

or

open a terminal
cd to correct directory
su to root
type
"rpm -ivh name.of.rpm"

to install from .tar.gz

again one of two ways

you can right click on the file and choose "preview in archiver" (under kde) then extract to chosen location

or

open a terminal
cd to correct location

and type

"tar -xvf name.of.file.tar.gz"

personally i prefer the first way for both types of file

once a tar.gz has been unpacked you need to cd to the new directory and see what's inside

if you have a bunch of files including one called "configure" then do the following

type "./configure"
then
"make"
then su to root
and
"make install"

there is usually a readme file included or an install file with instructions in

some directories will have a file called make in and no configure file, in this case just type "make" then su to root then "make install"

and some just have a file called install.sh
this is executed by checking the file properties and making sure it's executable
then su to root
and type
"./install.sh"

as you can see, it get's relatively complicated quite quickly,
this is linux, no setup.exe for us

please note that speech marks have been used to identify commands
do not use speech marks in a terminal

hope this helps

fir further help on rpm and tar
open a terminal and type
man rpm (man for manual)
and man tar

also info rpm and info tar will give further help

just to let you know, I'm a newbie myself so fare warning alright.

Mozilla is cool and all, it's different and that's worth something, I used it for the last year, but it is really frustrating when your web browser dosen't work. After all , that is one of the most critical pieces of your computer software.

I had the java problem as well. I fixed it by first going to netscape.com and downloading the new version of netscape for linux. This should basically overwrite your mozilla installation, keeping your bookmarks, settings etc... I have found that netscape is much cleaner looking, loads much much faster and I imagine that it will be easier to update in the future. It also has a nice pop-up blocking feature.

Then, to get java working, you need to download the newest java runtime environment rpm package and install that. After that you have to create a link between a certain java plugin and your netscape plugin directory. The best way to start this whole process is to go to the help menu ant the top of your browser and open "About Plug-ins" from there investigate how to add java support to your browser.


Ok.

To install files that are rpm.bin you first have to make them executable by typing:

chmod +x filethatIwanttomakeexecutable.rpm.bin

then type the ./ command which tells linux to run that file. so...

./filethatIwanttomakeexecutable.rpm.bin

this usually unpacks the file to .rpm format.

to install an RPM file (RED HAT PACKAGE MANAGER) you have to be logged in as root

type:

su

then your root password (if you don't know it your fucked)

then type:

rpm -i file.rpm to install.

you could also type:

rpm -ivh which adds extra functions like telling you more info on the install and giving you a nice bar to tell you the percentage of install complete.


Alright..now,

to untar and unzip .tar.bz files you type:

bunzip file

then:

tar -xvf file to untar

or you can type:

tar -zxvf to unzip and untar (detar ? whatever) all in one step.


hope this helps, I'll check back on you.