Installing Basic Programs

[bondi007]

All I want to know is how to install simple programs such as winrar for linux, I think the format is tar.gz what do I do if they is no help file or readme.

I am a n00b so basic steps would be really handy,

also I have tried the package manager and winrar cannot be found.

Cheers
Bondi :-/

[John A]

If you're using Debian, it's probably easier simply to install it through the dpkg package management system. First, make sure that in your /etc/apt/sources.list file you have the word non-free after your main repository line. In other words, the first line of your file should look something like this:

deb http://http.us.debian.org/debian stable main contrib [B]non-free[/B]

Now run the following at the terminal:

$ su
<enter password>
# apt-get update
# apt-get install rar

It's a lot simpler than compiling and installing software.

[bondi007]

Lol :'(

So n00bish i'm not sure, I have the winrar.tar.gz I dont know how to install it could you make it a bit simpler lol sorry :(

[John A]

>I dont know how to install it could you make it a bit simpler
I have made it simpler. The instructions for installing the winrar.tar.gz file would be even more complex and have a lot more places to get stuck.

Basically, try entering this first in a terminal window:

su
<enter password>
apt-get install rar

If that doesn't work, you need to add 'non-free' to your list of repositories, described in the first bit of my previous post.

[linux]

By simpler, maybe he's intimidated by the terminal?

You could open Synaptic or your package manager and install the package rar .

[bondi007]

I'll give that ago when I get to my server this week :P

Bondi