I am new to the world of Linux, coming from Win XP Pro. I have installed Mandrake 9.1 and using KDE 3.1. Any programs that I try to install, unless they have an .rpm extension do not work. I have tried to "make install" or even use the ./ command on the files to try and get them to work. It almost seems as if gcc or any of the other compiler programs are not working, do they need to be turned on in order to use? Any advise would be greatful.

Thanks,
Garbo73

Well, you're going to have to specify what you are trying to install, what commands you are using, what results you are seeing, etc...

well try to find rpm files before trying others way of installing programs...
There's almost always an rpm provided for each program (sufice it to have a look on rpmfind.net, there will be an rpm for your distribution). An rpm takes care of dependancies whereas compilation is more of an try and error mode...

Otherwise be more specific for programs you've got problems to install. copy/paste the *first* errors you are seeing, the last errors being often consequences of the former.

if gcc is missing, just install it via rpmdrake (menu / Configuration / Packages / Install software) search for gcc and install it, you may need libc and any other program identified in the readme (or README) available with your program).

often after tar zxvf <program.tgz>, you will have to do
./configure # create makefile required and do some checking
make # compile
make install # put compiled program where it ought to be

You must unpack these files first. Then cd into the directory which was created by unpacking and should read README file (). Usually you just type ./configure after it finishes type make (this may take a lot of time to finish) and then type make install.

I receive an unkown host error when I ./configure. I have tried to install Ruby and even Java using these methods. I also get an error when I use rpmdrake when it tries to install all of the programs (which should have installed on installation since I checked them all then). One other program I was trying to use was MyBitch so that I could get into yahoo chat.

ok, i know i'm really new at this, but i'm trying to install the java development kit 1.4.2, and i have the file

j2sdk-1_4_2_01-linux-i586-rpm.bin

now... what do i do with it to make it into a .rpm so i can install it?

(i heard something about "unpakaging"... do i have to unpakage it? if so, how do i do that?)

would appreciate any help!

thanks

With the j2sdk or j2re*.bin files .. essentially (if you downloaded the RPM version) is packaged with the EULA. Anyway, just cd to the directory with the *.bin and:
./sh j2*.bin

This will display the EULA. Hold down the enter key until it's done, it will ask you to type 'yes' to agree to the EULA then it will unpack the file. After all that you will have a j2*.rpm sitting there just begging to be...well..rpm'ed )

garbo73, for Ruby I cannot help as I don't know it. Looking at their website, I've seen .rbx files that I haven't seen before, I hope you've taken the tar.gz ?
Either open a thread for Ruby there or have a more thorough look at their website, they should have a faq for installations ? maybe a forum ?

For Java, see above. That works.

For MyBitch, it dates back to 2002 and is console mode, try Gaim (it has yahoo support, though I could not find how to stay invisible...) or download yahoo's rpm (not that well maintained...) in rpm : http://messenger.yahoo.com

Do you know if there are any programs that allow you into yahoo chat, I found that Gain allows my buddy list to open but that is it? Will try the other processes suggested. Thanks.

I have also noticed that under file:/usr/bin there are several applications that are executable. These include the java, gcc, c++ and several others. Are these actual programs and if so, how do you make them useable?

first learn what each of them do, typing
man [program_name]
or
[program_name] --help

which will give you a hint at what they do.
avoid launching them as root as long as you don't know what they do...

I can't even get those to work, not sure how to get anything to launch. The ./sh, man, or any other command does nothing. I feel like all I have is a web browser that's very fast, but that only does so much. What am I doing wrong or not doing?

well, first play with what's available in the KDE menu, at least it will be graphical programs... you will feel at home.

for man and sh if you don't give them arguments (i.e. parameters in programmation), they won't do much, if not complaining.

try
man sh
it will give you a manual for sh

try
man man
it will give you the manual for the command man

I type man man under the run command and nothing happens, same thing with man sh.

Those commands only work in a terminal window.

Play with the menu rather than trying to launch commands from the menu (only if you know what it does). First try in a terminal window (either gnome-terminal or eterm or you name it...)