Linux at Lunch

cantaim · 02-09-2006, 10:53 PM

Hi all. I am a windows admin that seems to only find time to learn about Linux over lunch. I have installed a few different distibutions only to wipe them out and start over. I can't seem to get past the notion that I should be able to double click an install file and have the application ready to go with an icon on the desktop that when double clicked launches the application. Maybe I just have not found the missing link. I certainly have not given up and am still interested in what Linux and other open sorce has to offer.

titanium_geek · 02-10-2006, 12:41 AM

Hi cantaim.

Welcome to LQ! I hope you find great help and a great and helpful community here.

The thing that you need is a fundamental change of thought process. Doubleclick install does not give you the control, while compiling from source gives you a whole tonne of power available to you. The basic things to type are:

Code:

./configure
make
make install

You might find the wiki helpful.

titanium_geek

Mara · 02-10-2006, 05:12 PM

Welcome to LQ!

You can have such kind of install if you choose an RPM-based distro and stick with RPMs. With time you'll find that compiling gives you much more control, but if you don't want it for now, just use rpms...

stimpsonjcat · 02-12-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantaim

I can't seem to get past the notion that I should be able to double click an install file and have the application ready to go with an icon on the desktop that when double clicked launches the application.

This is stone age technology for stone age operating systems

Most linux distros use some form of package manager. Read up on it, you'll like it.
Oh, and welcome to LQ!