How do I install software?

[Ron-MCSE]

Just installed RH 8.0 and downloaded a file from the net. It has a .tar.gz extension, now what do i do with it. If I opened a Terminal and find the file how do I execute the file to run and install , thankx , Ron. :cool:

[Hayl]

there is an nhf that explains installing.

[Ron-MCSE]

I have look all over the nhf and can't seem to locate it. I saw where you need RPM or you can install from source, but I can't seem to find the part about installing from source, I did find out that the .tar.gz was just a compressed file, So i need to unzip it somehow first,, i think :confused: any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks, Ron.

- Update - Ok, i just figured out how to unzip it, now I have a bunch of .py files. how do I install the program.

[miteycasey]

gzip - d will decompress it to a 'tarball'
then tar -xvf to untar the file This will mostlikely create a directory with all the source files. next see if it has a README or Install file. read them and they should tell you what you need to do.
I'm guessing it will read something like:
1. ./configure
2. make
3. make install
This is of course very general.

[JP83]

Extract file like this tar -xvvf foo.tar (foo.tar is your file name) or use this
tar -xvvzf foo.tar.gz

[mdwatts]

http://linuxnewbie.org/nhf/Compiling_Kernels/Compiling_Software.html

[hubaloo]

I had trouble finding that in the nhf too, even though I did search.

[mdwatts]

Originally posted by hubaloo
I had trouble finding that in the nhf too, even though I did search.

Just keep clicking on each NHF heading until you find what you are looking for.

Actually I've never had the need to use any of the NHF's, though I do make it a habit to know where each of them are located.

Come on... Ask me. :p