rpm-i j2re-1_3_1_10-linux-i586-rpm.bin results in command not found.
I downloaded the file from Sun and put it in a file in my user directory. have tried using the complete path, but either get commmand not found or no such file or directory. I hope there is some standardization to this procedure.

chmod +x j2re*.bin

./j2re*.bin

.................

wait. hold off on what i say above.

ive had problems with running SUNs java on RedHat. if you get frustrated try www.blackdown.org

do a full compile from the tar.gz. go as root to your source file location then hook the libjavaplugin_oji.so as "ln -s libjavaplugin.so" under your /usr/lib/mozilla-1.x/plugins directory.
this will not work consistently with Blackdown, and almost never with the j2re RPM, except on Caldera 3.1.1.
Luck -O.

I must be doing something wrong. Haven't been able to execute any commands in term. window. GUI works fine. I can install anything that's on the CDs. This was to be a simple exercise in installing RPMs.
Was able to access the install log and verify that RPM was installed. I'm not ready to compile anything.
For now , I'll have to trust the developers to build these things so they work. Would like to find a tutorial with examples that can be repeated successfully.

alrightee then. don't flame me if i ask a dumb question: are you a real new newbie? 'cause here is what i shall propose, assuming this: acquire an RH oriented how-to book. many good shops carry them, and they can be found in the sidebars of nearly all linux/unix slanted sites. linux.com, edmunds-enterprises.com, linux.org, freshmeat, even online book dealers, including SAMs, SYBEX, and of course, Amazon.com. don't be too startled by the exhorbitant pricing, tho.
punching your topic into the search bar on the home page here is a very good way to start exploring on-the-cheap,
or you could type into your term:
su -
and for information:
man rpm (or whatever else you're curious about).
hope this helps somewhat. last but not least, goto www.redhat.com, and dig into their Doc info, or to gnome.org (kde.org if that).
Luck -O.

Thanks. I'll go the book route when budget allows. They usually write in english-some in plain english. will probably reinstall too. can't even do a simple cd command! I will learn this thing.

LOL wow..i dunno who the newbies are, me & wrench, or the rest of you's. However, Macewan's got the right idea.

Bud, here's a start on Linux. The file you downloaded can't be executed directly (I didn't state that right but whatever).

Try doing the following if you have RH8.0:

1. If you're not logged in as "root", then type in "su -l root", press enter and then enter your password for the root allpowerful user.
2. Type the following in "sh rpm-i j2re-1_3_1_10-linux-i586-rpm.bin" and you will get a stupid Agreement. Hold the enter button for a while untill you see the same thing repeat. Press "Y" to accept the agreement. You just caused the bin to unzip itself into an RPM.
3. Go to your file manager and just double click the shit outa that RPM. or if you want to use the terminal, use "rpm -ivh RPMNAMEGOESHERE".
4. You must "install" the plugin into the specified browser that you're using. generally, only the engine needs the plugin. And since most browsers run on the mozilla engine, we will install it there. In your terminal, type "ln -s /usr/java/j2re1.4.2_03/plugin/i386/ns610/libjavaplugin_oji.so /usr/lib/mozilla-1.0.2/plugins". Check paths, versions, and filenames before you press enter. As you can see there, I have j2re1.4.2_03, and mozilla-1.0.2. So make sure those are right. Just browse to the libjavaplugin_oji.so file and copy that path and then browse to the mozilla folder and copy that path. It's the only way to go.

I've also installed flash and shockwave plugins for my mozilla from their original distributors such as SUN, and macromedia. Many people told me that SUN & macromedia distros won't work. But I guess all it takes is a little time.

BTW, i'm a

yuh. technically, unless your name is torvaalds, everyone is some category of Newbie. i've been groping around in several distro's, windows included, for about twelve years now, and still get that "now why didn't i think of that a year ago" enlightenment about once a week. i think there's even a Fortune cookie to that effect.

hmmm. this may be why i still surf to "newbie" rooms. seriously:
as for the terminal inexperience, wrench, i recommend you access the sites i mentioned, beat the dickens out of their Search site (or google, or whatever) engine, and learn the term basics. plug in the words xterm, gedit, or kate, for starters, or just page through that pain in the posterior popup that you get when you first click on KDE's Kate, kterm, or try a cold boot console. you really know you're getting somewhere in the skill level, when you have to reformat and reload an OS for the 100th time, due to code tampering.....as the germans say: have a lotta fun!
-O.