I installed linux in my computer and it works just fine it detects almost all the drivers and my internet but i do not know how to install programs because they all come in source code.
I read something that told me that i needed to log in as a root administrator in console and i did it but i did not find a way to install the program
it also said that i need to compile the file?
can anyone help me with this or anybody has a tutorial that explains it good?

there are a few ways to install programs in linux (what version of linux by the way)

#1 is to download the program in RPM format which will allow you to install the programs in a similar fashion to normal windows installs

#2 is to cd to the directory where the source files are located (in a command shell) and then type

./configure

then

make

then
make install

then

make clean

little more info here http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/sh...ead.php?t=45094

thanks i will give it a try when i get home
i have mandriva linux i don't remember what version but i also have fedora core 4 but i think its the same on both

i've got mandriva as well...and i've worked in fedora core....the process listed above will work in both

To do the make install, you typically need to do it is "root", but you can also normally select the location to install the program, which can be in your home directory or some other place. You need to either add that location to your path variable or specify the complete path.

to become root, in the console, type "su" [enter] then enter your root password [enter]

ex:



you should read the "INSTALL" file that is usually in the same folder as the configure script. this will tell you the exact commands that are needed, sometimes a "make all" or "make depend" may replace a make command listed above. also sometimes there is no configure script, just type make and its done. this should be the same with all i386 linux distros that have gnu make, and gcc installed.

thanks for all the help

I try the codes that it says right here but they don't work i do not know what i am doing wrong but i apreciate the help you have given me

what is the exact file you are installing?

a link to the download would be nice, then we can try to install it, and tell you how we did it if we get it to work.

MPlayer-1.0pre7try2.tar.bz2
its a media player
its located on /home/ratilio

Ok, so what is the error that you are getting?

BTW, you might also look to see if you can find a rpm, which is precompiled. Also, you might want to check out "xine", a similar program, which I prefer.

if the configure script tells you errors, then post them here, also it may say that you are missing some library or some other required component. post what it says here. if it gives you no errors, and you are able to 'make' and 'make install' fine, try running:

you should aslo try vlc media player http://www.videolan.org

that may be just as hard to install though, unless you are using an os that is compatable with the 'yum' command. in that case "yum -y install vlc" is all you need to type, and every package needed will be automatically installed.

this is what i get when i try what you tell me
i think it must be me
[ratilio@localhost ~]$ su
Password:
[root@localhost ratilio]# cd /home/ratilio
[root@localhost ratilio]# tar zxf MPlayer-1.0pre7try2.tar.bz2

gzip: stdin: not in gzip format
tar: Child returned status 1
tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors
[root@localhost ratilio]#
[root@localhost ratilio]#
[root@localhost ratilio]#

i am really confused now i used to think linux was easy but now i think its weird
i mean i like it but its just a big complication for new users and i also would like to know why if the rpms when i click on the they don't self install but they are opened on a folder way