Ok, I just installed Red Hat 9 last week and I want to know how exactly I install something. Through the GUI i know I can click on an RMP and it installes. However, how do I control the directory it installs to? I've installed Netscape, Netbeans, and a couple of other applications so far and I haven't been able to find where the heck they installed! Any help is appreciated.

Also, what passes for an executable file on Linux? I've been able to see that "rpm" is an install file and "sh" is like a "bat" file. (I think>) Does anyone know anything that can help?

you don't control the directory an rpm installs into - it's pre-packaged so that you don't need to know - you can run a query on what the package contains, paths it installs to etc

man rpm

to specify the installation path of an application you would need to compile it from source and install it with a specific install path

*nix has two types of files ascii and binary, any ascii file can be made executable, shell scripts (an executable text file) is exaclty like a batch file albeit a hell of a lot more powerful and flexable. The extension does not matter per se
All either of them really are is a collection of commands written in a language understood by the native shell, be that dos or bash or korn or c etc etc
(overly simplistic but you get the idea)

I'll give it a try. Thanks!

# Guides to software management
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

# Red Hat links
Installing from a Hard Drive
Red Hat Linux Manuals
Get your mp3 support here
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
Easier software management: apt4rpm - Red Carpet
Red Hat 8.0 Tips & Tricks

# Red Hat 7.3 down configuration commands
setup leads to several configuration tools

# Red Hat 7.3 up configuration commands
Configure soundcard:
redhat-config-soundcard
Configure X server:
redhat-config-xfree86
Configure network:
redhat-config-network
Manage software:
redhat-config-packages
Red Hat 9.0 Package Management Tool
Manage users
redhat-config-users

# Handling NTFS
New Technology FileSystem (NTFS) HOWTOs
Linux NTFS project

Oh, one other thing I should probably ask, how do you uninstall a program?

read the posted links and you will find the anser

# Guides to software management
These really are worth the time to read;

LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

Thanks folks. I'll go grab a cup of coffe and start reading... Great stuff!