I am pretty new using Linux ( I have Mandrake Linux 8.1), and then I downloaded everybuddy in order to chat with MSN messanger friends. My big problem is that i don't know how to install a program on Linux.

Please tell me how to do that, or if it's possible explain, describe or whatever you want to call it, or maybe some link where explains how linux works!!

I would apreciate any help!!


Thanks

Hi there,

There are several ways to install programs such as the one you are asking about. Here is some of my experience--

Check the website where you downloaded the program from. They often have instructions on how to install the software. For example, a quick search on Google for everybuddy gave a link to a page with clear instructions on how to install (http://www.everybuddy.com/en/download.php).

There are two basic ways to install software--

(1) From packages. This is usually the easier, softer way to install programs. The package will come in a "package" format, such as an RPM or tarball (Slackware) or whatever. These are generally installed with a command based on your distribution (rpm -Uvh everybuddy-x.x.x-i386.rpm for example).

(2) From source code. This is often the better way to go, as you have more control over what get installed, etc. In this case, you download the source code in a zipped up file, unzip it, compile and install it. A typical example is-#

tar zxvf everybuddy-x.x.x.tar.gz
cd everybuddy
./configure
make
make install (as root)

If you issue the command "./configure --help", often you can set flags to compilse with certain features disabled or whatever.

Hope that helps.
Jeremy

So where do you write this?

In a console. This is like the MS-DOS (command) window on MS installations.
After each line hit the return key to execute the command. Wait for any messages etc.
The make install (as root) means that you need to become the root user before you issue the command. Root will have the correct permissions to put files where they need to be etc.