I am using the newest release of Kubuntu. It runs really fast, and smoothly. But as most people, I am used to a Microsoft Windows environment. I do not know the physics, and what I have to do to install new programs. I do not know what the executable files are. Everything comes in archive files. I followed the instructions on how to install Firefox, for example, from the website(I had to search elsewhere to actually get to their instructions page, and even then, all it says is to extract, and it doesn't even tell me how to run it). I have been at this all day today, trying to figure this out. Please put any instructions in laymen's terms, easy enough for a Linux newbie to understand. It's frustrating when I have been led to believe that Linux is very easy to use, when it really is not, unless you already know what to do.
Re : I do not know how to install new programs
I share your pain aaronfowlow, I just recently installed Vector 5.8 Gold on my IBM Thinkpad R51 1829 KCF. I'm hitting the same obstacle. I know how to use Vector's Gslapt to get stuff in the Vector repositories..yet what about stuff I've downloaded independently outside of Gslapt and the repositories...how the heck do I install those...I'm also coming from a windows background.
There's some proggies I've downloaded, but they're all in *.tar.gz
I get as far as extraction..into a directory..but then..that's where I hit the next wall...what next...I know that I'm supposed to use the ./configure, then "make", then "make install"...but then from most of the online articles I've come across so far...they only state the commands..yet not what typical options follow the command. I suppose that the proper command syntax is what I'm looking for. Personally I like Vector since it flies on my thinkpad compared to winxpblack. Yet..installing the proggies I want/need is an issue. Even something that I did find in the repository K3B..has library dependencies..not sure how to get those either.. -_- granted Linux has come a long way..at least so I've read. Yet it still give me a migraine..I've spent around 6 hours..just trying out different things getting 1 proggie installed under Vector..everytime things don't go right..I format and reinstall vector out of frustration.
I enjoy the fact that Vector 5.8 is a light (unbloated) distro and fast..but under windows I was able to configure the applications I wanted to have, without even breaking a sweat...under Vector...it's a workout and a half. I also tried to get my hands on Ubuntu Ultimate 1.3..yet 3 times I've tried downloading the iso and it fails it's own disc check -_- what is up with that... and what I've seen in Ubuntu Ultimate is a well rounded distro..that includes a lot of things that a simple user can utilize as well as applications for programmers too.
** To Marcel Gagne **
If you happen to read some of these posts, is there any chance you could make appearances on The Lab with Leo Laporte? To help address some of these concerns/issues? I don't have the available funds at the moment to purchase any of your books..I did pick up a Linux book at a clearance store near me..published 1996 :( "Linux Unleashed 2nd Edition" by Sams Publishing. Comes with Slackware 3.0. It covers some of the basics at least..the it seems that it was meant for an intermediate to advanced Linux user, and i'm a complete newb.
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