i use kubuntu 8.04 with gdebi insstalled,this does not show up in K menu. how do I get to use it??

Go to the Run Command Dialogue and execute gdebi-gtk.

You probably need to be root to install anything, so kdesu gdebi-gtk might be more useful. This will run the program in root mode.

Of course dpkg -i would do the same thing from the command line.

Thanks a lot I now know how to get gdebi working , but I still need to learn more about installing downloaded software

What kind of software? In any event, it's not hard to learn Ask questions if you need help.
Cheers,
jdk

I found the specific package I wanted "last Fm ?"in synaptic manager so I got that fixed . What I want to do is learn to install downloaded tarballs etc . I have tried to follow the instructions given to forum inquirers unsuccessfully and I found the Ubuntu.com "how to" confusing. I am using Kubuntu 8.04. some of my kmenu apps seem not identical or vary from the norm and I do not have the knowledge/ experience to sort it.
Thanks for your time and interest
RON

Hi Ron,
The question about tarballs has been asked and answered in great details on LQ. Try using the LQ search function with tarballs and install or installation and you should find a wealth of information (including a posting by me ).

To get you started: tarballs or tar.gz and tar.bz2 files are typically for either:
1. compiling source code. The tarballs contain the source code for you to compile
2. Generic Linux binaries (distro-independent) that are ready to work "out of the box". Just untar them and install them where you wish (the /opt folder is the "standard" choice).
That should get you going. Have fun.
jdk