hello i am a total linux newbie... i got tired of all the windows bs.. go ahead and welcome me to the open source community :P

ok well my question, I have downloaded a bunch of software that i want to install such as BitchX-1.0c16-Linux-glibc2-alpha.tar.gz
NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-4349.run

1st. i would like to know what is a alpha? a .tar? and a .gz? im assuming its some kind of compression file such as .zip?

2nd. what is a .run file?

3rd. how do i run/load these .tar .gz .run files?

do i need to make directorys for these files to be put into? if so then how
what is the command syntax to uncompress these files and where may i find a list of the commands to do this? and is there a software out there that will do this for you?

and after i uncompress these files how do i run them, is there a certain type of executable file in linux such as .exe in msdos?

thanks alot also if someone would want to help me i have a BUNCH of questions, could you hit me on my aim name : Bigshawndog

thanks again!

What is a alpha, tar, gz?

You are right, the file is compressed similar to a windows zip file.
Alpha -i think - refers to the 'release version' of your software.

tar.gz is the compression / archive part.
tar means tape archive. It is called this as it was originally used to make backups on tape. It just packs many files into a single archive and is a program that is built into most linux systems.

tar does not 'compress' data. This is done by the gzip program i.e gz. Again this program is built into most linux systems now.

To open your file do the following:

1. open a shell, cd to the directory holding the file BitchX-1.0c16-Linux-glibc2-alpha.tar.gz.
2. To extract this archive type: gunzip -9c BitchX ...etc.tar.gz | tar xvf -
this will automatically create a new extracted directory.
3. Follow the README / INSTALL instructions contained in the directory to install the software.

There are many many options for tar.gz files. If you look at the system manual pages you will find a good introduction to the scope of these tools. But i recommend investing in a good linux system administration book.

There are easier ways to install software for your system. With RPM the whole task is automated...

How to run programs?

Typically you can run a program by clicking on a selection from a menu, or by typing the program name at the command line....

1) Alpha is just a phase of program development before the program is said to be stable. .tar.gz, .tar.bz2,.tgz, .rpm are all compression methods. rpms are the easy way to install programs, you just double click on them. If you wish to install with a .tar.gz you need to read the tutorial in the answers section and in the applications/GUI/multimedia subsection which is part of the rectangle of blue links at the top.
2) That would be a file that you use to patch a kernel...I believe. I actually need to install that also but I havn't d/led it yet.

I don't know what redhat uses but slackware uses ark for a front-end. For you, if you wanted to learn the syntax of the command line version, you would type 'man tar' if the file is a .tar.something.
The how to compile from source should have the syntax for the line you'll usually use.

You only make a directory to compile the program in and then it is copied onto the system. after it's been copied(by make install) you can just delete the file you made for that program.

You execute them by either the start menu or by typing the program name EXACTLY into the console. If a part of it is capitolized, such as LinNeighborhood you have to capitolize it but most programs won't capitolize.

Some programs can only be executed at the root user. in those cases you need to use the su command to run as the root user and then run whatever you needed to run. Usually in redhat you can use all the root restricted stuff in a gui.