No desktop icons or K-menu heading for programs I install
 

Hi,
I'm new to Linux. I'm using Mandrake 9.2 and KDE. What is happeneing is, I install programs such as AIM, Yahoo IM, Realplayer and no icons will be put on the desktop or in the K-menu (I think that's what it is called, I'm sorry :)). When I install the programs everything seems to go fine. I log in as root and install them that way, but the only way to run the programs I install is to go and find the exeecutable file (the files with the little gears as icons) and copy it to my desktop (the program will run fine and all). My question is am I doing something wrong or is it supposed to happen that way? I appreciate the help and if I left out any important info that you would need to know to answer my question, just ask. I will be checking periodically. I'm sorry if I did leave out info, but again I'm new to Linux and I'm not really sure what info you would need.

If you stick with the packages built for your system and install with the package manager, they should be a menu item added automatically.

Installing other packages will require you to do some things manually.

# Mandrake links
Mandrake home page
Mandrake Users website
Easy urpmi config for Mandrake
urpmi mini-HOWTO
Easy software management: Red Carpet
Maximum RPM
rpmfind
You didn't install the developmental packages? As root, command:
urpmi gcc
An Introduction to the Midnight Commander. You can install it by commanding:
urpmi mc
Midnight Commander home page

# Guides to software management
LNAG - How do I install a program I downloaded from the Internet?
Rute Guide's software explanation
You might want to check out CheckInstall to manage source code installations/uninstallation

Great! Thanks I'm gonna check that out :)! Also yeah I know what you mean about the programs that com with the distibution. When I installed those they did make icons and all. I forgot to metion that. Thanks again.

Hello again,
I tried to read the how-to but all the pages but the beginning page will not open. It says the page cannot be found on the server. Thanks anyway :).

It's been broken for a few days now, I just dropped him an e-mail about it.