hi i have trouble installing things i download, such as limewire. i'm used to autorun and everything and im really dumb when it comes to computers ( or anything really ) and i dont know what to open when i open the file ( e.x. chrome, jstmodules, components, defaults.. wtf?) whats rpm and the other things? also, i use ubuntu 8.10

OK,
I am gonna make a few assumptions since you don't give a lot of details on your setup. if my guesses are off, just let me know and I will adjust my aim :-)

The short answer to your question is to use the package manager that comes with your distribution to install/remove packages (programs).

The biggest reason you want to do this is the package manager makes it much easier to keep track of dependencies and avoid problems. Linux software is "modular", meaning it shares parts of other software. Dependency issues can spring up quickly if you aren't careful. Its much like deleting shared dll files in Windows. Also, the package manager "bundles" the program you want with all the required shared libraries so if you don't have everything already downloaded, it will prompt you to download what else you need.

By your username, I am going to guess you are using Ubuntu. Ubuntu uses the same package manager as Debian as it is based on Debian. The program you will look for is called the Synaptics Package Manager. I am also going to guess you are using Gnome for a windows manager. I think synaptics is listed under "administration" in Gnome but don't exactly remember. It should be easy enough to find though.

Once you start it up, you will get a listing of all the software available in your repository. You should be able to search or use the sections on the right to find what you want to install. Just right click on the package you want to install and choose "mark for installation" or something like that, then click the apply button and it will install the program for you.

With all that said, the process is not perfect and it can get more complicated than our simple example. Just take your time and you will be fine. Also if you start getting a bunch of warnings or errors, it's a good idea to stop until you get more help.

HTH,
Dave

ok so say i downloaded limewire basic which i did and now what? i searched it in the manager and it didnt come up

ok nvm i got the downloads screen up and clicked install package... and it installed i guess. so, where can i open it? i mean i cant find it anywhere..

Your best bet is to learn how to use APT.
Software Management - Community Ubuntu Documentation
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SoftwareManagement

Advanced package management
https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/add-app.../advanced.html

APT HOWTO
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/ap.../index.en.html

this is how it went... limewire.com>download>download succesful then opened the file>installed package... now what?

after installing where does the file go i guess is the question..

it would usually go somewhere in the PATH
the PATH is a configured aet of directories that an operating system uses to look for executables (or libraries, but that would be LIBPATH)
by default that path would include /bin, /usr/bin and /usr/local/bin, for root that would also include /sbin /usr/sbin and /usr/local/sbin
to show your path, at a terminal, type 'echo $PATH'

ok when i goto usr>local>bin.. thers nothing in it

wait i went to lib and i found it and it worked!! thanks

ok now i have trouble when for some reason i cant open a file using the package installer like songbird... help? i can only open with archive manager