Re: How do you install afterstep?

[Bob McClure Jr <robertmcclure earthlink net>]

On Tue, Dec 21, 1999 at 09:56:38AM -0700, Darin Bailey wrote:
> I just installed RH 6.1 on my system and am trying to intall Afterstep. I'm 
> new to linux and have spent the last several days exploring the new 
> universe, but I don't understand how to intall packages. I'm used to just 
> clicking an icon or typing something at the dos prompt and having it open, 
> run, install, or do whatever it does but everything I'v read and tried with 
> RH hasn't worked. Am I supposed to copy something to somewhere? compile it 
> (like I have a degree in computer science....)??
> rpm is a command, right? but what exactly is the full line you type in...
> 	"rpm -i afterstep.something.rpm"  ??

That is correct. You will need to be logged in as root (or log in as
yourself and su to root thusly: "su -").  Furthermore, you should have
changed directory ("cd <some_dir>") to the directory containing the
AfterStep rpm.  By the way the "something" above should not contain
"src"; that is a source rpm that you will have to build before
installing.

"rpm" is the RedHat Package Manager, and the switch (-i) tells it what
function to perform, install in this case.  The other functions can be
read about by reading the man page (run "man rpm") or look for some kind
of help menu item or icon that says something about man pages.

When you "rpm -i" it may carp because there is already an AfterStep
installed.  If you want to install a later version (I'm running
1.7.160-1; I think 1.7.149 or some such came with RH6.1), use the "-U"
(uppercase) switch instead to upgrade.

(Note: the following worked for me because I had previously used AS when
RH5.2 was on the machine.  At this point, anyone with broader experience
is welcome to chime in here.)

I think you will need a ".wm_style" file in your home directory that
contains "AfterStep".  First check to see if you have one by

  cd              # puts you into your home directory
  cat .wm_style   # types to the screen the contents of .wm_style

If it has what you want, then good.  If not, it will carp or tell you
something else.  Set what you want with

  echo AfterStep > .wm_style

Now, to put it into effect, bring up (if you haven't already) your
default window manager, say, Gnome/Enlightenment.  Take the necessary
action to exit, but select the option to change window managers.  If I
recall correctly, I selected "Next level" or some such, and when I
logged in again I got AfterStep.  Now I think that was because I already
had the right .wm_style file in my home directory.  (Anyone is welcome
to explain that strangeness.)

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
-- 
Bob McClure, Jr.            |
Bobcat Open Systems, Inc.   | Linux: The Ultimate NT Service Pack
robertmcclure earthlink net |