Hi iam new to linux and this is the first time ive suse linux. I managed to install suse 9.3 pro onto my computer.

The thing is i dunt understand how you install drivers or apps. I have managed to install rpms but not all files downloaded are rpms. The files i get seem to be src inside tars. i understand that tars are like zip files but how do i install the source files?

The main file i trying to install and get working is the Zydas 1211 usb wlan drivers. If i installed it how do i run it?

The third thing is that installed files do they come up on the kmenu?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Terry

not sure what you mean by: "The third thing is that installed files do they come up on the kmenu?"

your right, not every program (package) is in .rpm form which is ready for your system.

when you install a program you have 3 options: install by source (the .tar stuff), from a file like .rpm or .deb, etc.. lastly by using your distro's package manager.

SuSE uses YaST i believe.. it should be in the system menu somewhere.. launch it and check it out. its very easy to manage software with a tool like this.

drivers.. especially if its something more odd like the specific driver your looking for, will most likely only come in source format.. youll have to read the README and INSTALL files that probably came with it and do it all yourself. after the install you shouldnt have to manually 'run' it, as it will probably be automatically loaded when the system is booted up.. the texts included should tell you how to set it up.

if after getting past the install stage and you cant get it to automatically load at boot, shout back here and well help you out.

Most programs do come in .tar.gz and like you said, it is like zip. So it doesn't necessarily have to be a program in there. And since this is a Zydas 1211 usb wlan "driver" this could be the case for such modules or wrappers.

Suppose you have a .tar.gz file. Issuing the following command removes and decompresses the .gz portion:
$ gunzip filename.tar.gz

Resulting in a .tar file, use the following command to extract it:
$ tar -xvf filename.tar

Alternatively, use "zxvf" parameters to essentially to both commands.
$ tar -zxvf

Package unzipped, there are more powerful uses of tar:
$ man tar


Yes, README and INSTALL are important. Most programs will take:
$ ./config
$ make
# make install

At which point, you can ask:
$ which "program-name"

And you will get back the path to the program, which you can use to create a new icon on your Kmenu. Some will do it for you, others won't.

YaST will show you RPMs but not source files. Also look into apt4rpm, cool tool!

Dang, look what I found a few posts up!

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ticle&artid=15

thanks for your response guys. ill try it out tonight when i get home from work.