Re: newbie question about installing software

[Robert Adkins <radkins impelind com>]

On Thu, 2003-04-24 at 15:05, James Ferris wrote:
> Hi list...
> OKay, I'm a windows guy. I'm used to 'run the setup program'.
> 

	There was a time when that I what I was used to as well... Sometimes I
pine for those days, other times I am VERY glad those days are far
behind me.

> Where might I look to learn 'some' of the ways and means of
> installing software for linux?
> I've been hearing about rpm's and tar-files,
> and have read the how-to's I could find. (not a lot of basics)
> (only 1,670,000 hits on google - ack)
> Unfortunately, I have not found a "how-to for dummies". LOL
> 

	There are several ways to install Linux applications... 

	There are 'source' installs, which require compiling and installing the
application.

	There are package installs, of which the "big one" appears to be Red
Hat Package Manager packages, or RPMs. There are also DEB and a few
others...

	There are also "special" installers. In this category, I include the
really nice "Windows-Like" Loki installer and the latest installer for
the Nvidia drivers. These are typically in the form of a large script
that includes all of or a portion of the application to be installed,
with other files residing on the install media and theoretically on some
far off server.


> I think I need something that describes what each install-type is,
> why you'd use one before the other,
> and then how to 'usually' go about doing each type of install.
> 

	Unfortunately, there are several "usual" ways to run a variety of
installs. The good thing is that I have rarely seen files and
applications without a basic install direction located in the location
that the file or application is found at.

> Please help with simple, favorite suggestions!
> 

	The best suggestion would be to pick up a few Beginner, "Dummmy" or
other such books on Linux. Then read them cover to cover. Some of them
are quite daunting in size and shape, but they will definitely open up
yours eyes to a whole new world of software design, control and
configuration. 

	Learning Linux (or another *NIX after Knowing Windows) presents one of
the few true paradigm shifts that one can experience in the realm of IT.

> Thanks for any help.
> James
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> JAMES E. FERRIS, B.Sc. Eng., MCSE
> Edmonton, Alberta
> Tel: (780)473-6517
> email: jeferris shaw ca
> or: james_e_ferris yahoo ca
> resume: http://members.shaw.ca/jeferris
> links: http://members.shaw.ca/jeferris/links
> 
	
	You are most welcome.

	Regards,
	Robert Adkins II
	IT Manager/Buyer
	Impel Industries,Inc.
	586-254-5800