tar files are source code files, which can be difficult and annoying to install/compile. What the installer installs are rpm files which are precompiled binaries of the source code specific to your distribution. They are very easy to install, except that they have a lot of dependencies (you have to install other rpms in order to install the one you want). Do not download the tar file, simply select it in the installer and click install.

The Mandrake Control Center (MCC) does *not* install tar files. It is for installing RPM files, that are pointed to by your urpmi repositories. (The installation CDs/DVD are all that is pointed to originally after an installation.) If you follow the instructions I mentioned earlier, or in my sig, you will *never* have to install any tar files, unless you *want* to. Just search for the applications you want in the MCC, select them, and click "Install". (Of course, you want to periodically run "Update" as well.)

There are relatively few applications (such as KVIrc) that need to be manually installed. And most *commercial* apps come with a built-in installer (e.g., Java, RealPlayer, Firefox, etc.). (And Ksirc *is* available through the MCC.)

As for the icons, first, remember that the icon has nothing to do with the application. That is, you can change the icon to FF, but that won't make FF launch instead of Konquerer. You need to install FireFox first, then make a link to it on the Kicker (the icon/app bar). You can do that by right-clicking on the shortcut bar, selecting "Add Application" from the popup menu, and pointing to wherever you installed Firefox. You can specify an icon at that time, or anytime later, by right-clicking that icon, and selecting "Properties", and clicking on the icon image in the dialog box that comes up.

And to put a shortcut on the desktop, just right-click the desktop, select "New --> Link to Application", and follow the dialogs. (Note, *most* properly installed software is in "/usr/bin", although that can vary.)

Ugh Im really frusterated... I downloaded the fire for linux the firefox and the thunderbird apps. I go into the isntall area of the control pannle and it dosnt find the file or dosnt reconise it...


UGH!!! Huge headachess now. I installed Firefox and Thunderbird the only problem Is i do not know how to make shortcuts to it, I dont know where its located AND when i go into properties it comes with a 1 inch by 1 inch window that is blank...uhg
Im just so damn frusteriated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UEHFHUAHJSnb;d

Sir, Check out http://plf.zarb.org
They will show you how to add a "repository" (via command prompt) which is like have a CD-ROM full of P2P, DVD, Multimedia and Game software but it is on the net.
Next you just use "Mandrake Control Center" for Software Managment. you can search for software you want to run and install it over the net.
Mandrake Control Center is like 'Control Panel', Be careful or you'll be doing a reinstall in no time. Software manager will let you install more software from your CDs and Repository as if they were one.
PLF isn't a warez site, it's just more FOSS software that may not always be available/legal in "free" countries like the USA. or may not be exportable by Mandrake.
Cheers.

Actually after like hours of messing around I finally figured her out. and also for sites like Launch.yahoo.com how do i view the videos?


And Im still having issues with my printer. Its a Z615 and the drivers didnt come with mandrake. so how do i set it up


Ok i found the right driver I unpacked it and I did all the right commands in the terminal it come up with tis


Verifying archive integrity...OK
Uncompressing Lexmark Printer Driver............
./xlexinstall: error while loading shared libraries: libtcl8.3.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
The program returned an error code (127)
[root@localhost iz3r]#

as root type "urpmi tcl" this will install that tcl library you need

[root@localhost iz3r]# sh z600cups-1.0-1.gz.sh
Verifying archive integrity...OK
Uncompressing Lexmark Printer Driver............
./xlexinstall: error while loading shared libraries: libtcl8.3.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
The program returned an error code (127)
[root@localhost iz3r]# urpmi tcl
Everything already installed
[root@localhost iz3r]#

thats waht basically shows up when I run the commands and all the commands were correct so I dunno what im doing wrong. Or is it the file. I really need my printer running and I have alot of school projects comming up.

You are going to have to install tcl somehow. Look atound in the menu and find the software installer and search for tcl. It's been a while since I used Mandrake so I can't remember the exact method. It is pretty easy when you find the installer though. I think it is under configuration in the start menu.

That is a set of libraries that it should have installed. I recently uninstalled, foolishly I might add, that from my system and I had some difficulty getting it fixed. I'm not sure why it didn't install it but you will need it. May as well insyall it and get it over with.

Hope that help.

Later

tlc I did a search for it. It foudn a few files I Installed them all. It didn't do anything for my printer

You need to install the whole package not just a few files. This is not windoze. If you install something you need to go all the way with it. I did copy the files from another system just so I could re-install tcl on mine. If you only install a few of the files you will just run into something else missing later on.

Install the whole thing. That should correct that problem anyway.

Later

The problem is where do I get the full thing?

Just to interject, you should try Slack, it's easy to install and configure

So your saying I should now try slackware?

That just might create more problems, and the only thing going wrong here is a printer.

It should be on the CD you installed from unless it is one of those minimal CDs. If you have Mozilla or Konqueror installed, it should have some links in the bookmarks, my old Mandrake did at least. I can't find the site and they seem to bury it on mandrakelinux.com. You pay for it and it may be easier to find.

There is also a link to urpmi site in one of the signatures above. I have used it before. It will be more up to date too. May prove to be a good thing.

I would install and dig around on my other rig but I loaned it to a buddy. I had to put windoze on it for him. I about cried too. I had Gentoo installed and up to date.

Later