I am trying to install my first Linux game (pingus)

When I read the README it lists some dependencies....OK
I downloaded those and installed 1 or 2 , but then the third has a dependency file....so
I downloaded that and so on ...and so on

These dependencies are like a nasty multi-nested if..then loop

I would like to know how to install without package managers, so that I am not as limited to what can be installed.

If I find out that I need fileX, fileY, and LibraryA. How do I determine if they are installed?
Also, how do I check for installed libraries?

Sorry for the rambling, tonight I am too lazy to hit the backspace key....so once I've typed it......it's here to stay

you could configure your package manager to automatically resolve dependencies, any way it should be better to know what is depending on what. This way you have control over your system.

most of the packages are small and you can use the package manager to download and install them automatically.
I distinct 4 groups of the packages
main - who contain the executables and configuration, may be libraries too
libraries - fit together with main
docs - optional
devel - development, optional

it's really confusing sometimes but once you get used to it, it's fine.

There is no way to get some program working when it has it's dependencies broken.

It's like trying to unlock the door wiht the wrong key ...

If you are experimenting with some stuff than you should try learning how to rebuild packages, compile and so ....

It's anoying

regards

http://apt.freshrpms.net/
try this and then get synaptic,david

I have used apt and RPM before, but I would like to broaden my horizons by learning how to "do it myself" with source code.

Thanks

well then you have to look into the documentation ofthe source code

it's usually written there what you need and what you should do to get the apps working.

Read more about compiling but I started like you do and my horizon is now much wider ...

I read alway the README and INSTALL but in the beginning it didn't work fine untill I read more about the compiler (GCC) and about shared and staticlibraries and linking.

I also read about make and Makefile and now I'm investigating the process of building my own debian packages - i.e. writing my rules etc.

There is bunch to read

but

It's annoying

good luck