adobe reader download
 

in downloading adobe reader, i am asked to choose a linux version: .tar.gz or .rpm
how do i know which one to pick?
thank you!:confused:

I'd probably try the rpm version first.
Download it, then go to that directory, then enter:
rpm -Uhv <name of the rpm file>
That should completely install it for you.

I think *.tar.gz version is used for manual install.
*.rpm version is used for distro with rpm system such as RedHat, Fedora, SuSE, Mandriva ...

Hi and welcome to LQ. What Linux distribution do you use because this will determine which file to download.

@ mikehaun, trungnt_hut: Mmmh.. it's a bit more complicated than that.

@ Laura: Do you need a program to view PDF files? Why not try one of the alternatives, one your distribution might include in it's official package repositories. Such as: xPDF, ePDFView, kPDF (if you're running KDE), Evince (if you're running GNOME) etc.

As reddazz said, give us your distribution. And eventually your desktop environment/window manager.

reverse,

Can you explain how it is more complicated according to you? Those instructions seemed pretty correct to me.

Laura,

it's generally a good idea to include your distribution(s) in your member profile. Otherwise people are going to ask again and again.

mikehaun assumed Laura is using a RPM based distribution, as for trungnt_hut, he didn't post any instructions at all. He's right about what "rpm" is for (i.e. rpm-supporting distributions), however, when there is talk about manually fetching a source tarball, it's usually best to step back, and think. Most people are attempted to run the configuration script; make + make install. This *can* seriously mess with the distribution's package management system.

And .. Laura could either specify the distro in her profile, or simply state her distribution every time she asks for help. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Or she can simply download the *.tar.gz version. When untarred, the file has its own INSTALL script so it can be installed regardless of the distribution.

Laura, if you do choose the tar.gz version, this is what you want to do to install it (as root):
This will start the installation process.

As for alternatives, I use kpdf to view PDF documents on the desktop. I have no choice but to use Acrobat Reader when I do so via Firefox (i.e. via plugin).