I tried to compile my modem drivers, using the console (aterm) in Featherlinux and got this:

knoppix@ttyp0[eciadsl-usermode-0.10-nortek-alpha]$

./configure
settings:
runtime path prefix = /usr/local (default)
system conf files prefix path = / (default)
driver conf files prefix path = / (default)
driver doc files prefix path = /usr/local (default)
binaries directory = /bin (default)
system conf files directory = /etc (default)
driver conf files directory = /etc/eciadsl (default)
driver doc files directory = /doc/eciadsl (default)
kernel sources path = /usr/src/linux (default)

starting configuration for ECIADSL-0.10-nortek-alpha in /mnt/hda1/eciadsl-usermode-0.10-nortek-alpha..

checking make location.... not found

the configure script has failed, one or more errors have occurred;
check configure.log and configure.tmp for further detail


configure.log
./configure.log: line 1: settings:: command not found
./configure.log: line 2: syntax error near unexpected token '('
./configure log: line 2: 'runtime prefix path = /usr/local (default)'

configure.tmp
./configure.tmp: line 1: settings:: invalid argument
./configure.tmp: line 2: runtime: command not found
./configure.tmp: line 3: syntax error near unexpected token '('
./configure.tmp: line 3: '> (default)'


Any idea how I can fix it/compile anything on featherlinux? i'm using the livecd at the moment

Most likely you dont have gcc installed, you will need to get that

But how can I install something without 'make'?

You can't unless the file you downloaded has compiled binaries in it (which is rare).

I suggest you actually install a distro on your harddrive if you want to install something...