Slackware newbie

Siiiiiii · 05-25-2006, 12:38 PM

Hello. I'm quite new to Linux, especially Slackware, and wonder if there's anything I need to know.
For example: I've had some problems installing programs. Are all programs for Slackware distributed in source packages, or are there pre-compiled ones too?

Okie · 05-25-2006, 12:42 PM

all those .tgz packages in the slackware CD are allready compiled to install and run...

pkgtool is your friend

Siiiiiii · 05-25-2006, 12:48 PM

I've managed to install Linux, but there are other programs that I've downloaded that don't want to work (e.g. Wine). Are there compiled versions of them? If not, how do I compile them?

Linux~Powered · 05-25-2006, 12:53 PM

Unpack them and read the README and INSTALL files. After that run

./configure --help (for a list of options to pass)
./configure
make
su
make install

WINE isn't easy to get running, especially if you're new to Linux, so you're going to have to post exactly what problem you're having with it.

Also, www.linuxpackages.net has a large repository of .tgz packages built just for Slackware.

Siiiiiii · 05-25-2006, 12:56 PM

What does the "su" command do?

Linux~Powered · 05-25-2006, 12:59 PM

su = super user, AKA root. If you want to install packages on your box, root will have to do it. Read the man pages for su.

Code:

man su

Siiiiiii · 05-25-2006, 01:03 PM

Ok. Is there anything else a beginner needs to know (that I can't learn on my own, that is)?

Linux~Powered · 05-25-2006, 01:07 PM

That's a pretty vague question. You'll learn as you go.

Siiiiiii · 05-25-2006, 01:09 PM

How do I change from KDE to, say, Gnome?

Linux~Powered · 05-25-2006, 01:14 PM

As root run pkgtool, go to Setup --> xwmconfig and select which one you want to boot into.

Siiiiiii · 05-25-2006, 01:18 PM

Is that the only way, or can I add an option when running "startx"?

Linux~Powered · 05-25-2006, 01:23 PM

Yeah, you can pass the option startx gnome and it should boot into Gnome.

1dude1 · 05-29-2006, 09:37 PM

hey 2 things. it says
root@linux:~# cd '/root/Desktop/wine-0.9.14-i486-S10.2'
root@linux:~/Desktop/wine-0.9.14-i486-S10.2#
root@linux:~/Desktop/wine-0.9.14-i486-S10.2# ./configure
-bash: ./configure: No such file or directory

so why won't it work
and also i like you'r choice of names for your site you just had to say 420
now i am wondering

Charred · 05-29-2006, 09:49 PM

OK guys, this is really basic stuff; it's time to do some reading:

Slackware Linux Essentials
Slackware Linux Unleashed
Slackware Linux Basics
Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition