For a newbie installing packages in RPM format is MUCH the easiest way to do
it. You should look for the program in the format
'programname-version.i586.mdk.rpm' The 'mdk' indicates it was written for
use in a Mandrake system. If you cannot find an RPM in that format on the
site you are searching, then try searching at www.rpmfind.net where you will
find hundreds of programmes in Mandrake format. Non 'mdk' rpm's may work, but
not always.
(BTW to start with you should avoid files you see labelled 'Mandrake Cooker'
They are 'bleeding edge' packages which may well require you to extensively
upgrade your system.)
To install an RPM all you have to do is right click in Konqueror and when the
dialogue box opens asking if you want to save it or open it, then just select
'Open' the Mandrake installer will then download it and install it as one
simple action. The only thing you might have to do then is locate where it
has been installed and define a 'K menu' entry (sometimes this is automatic
as well)
Once you are comfortable with this simple method you can progress to
rebuilding source RPM's, and then move onto 'tarballs' and compiling your
own code.
BTW. Are you sure the programme you want is not already on your Mandrake
discs? There is an awful lot on there...
On Tuesday 23 October 2001 7:15 am, Eric Baber wrote:
> Thanks to everyone who replied to my reply re. Internet Explorer - I get
> the hint that it ain't gonna work :-) The main thing I really wanted it for
> was to be able to use my old Outlook Express e-mails; I guess I'll have to
> export and then import them into a Linux mail program instead then.
>
> Next question: how do I install new programs on Linux? I've found the
As for your Outlook Express. Are you aware that KMail will import from
Outlook Express?
All you have to do is select File > Import and a window pops up offering to
import from Outlook Express. You can point it to your existing windows
partion because while windows cannot read Linux files, Linux can read Windows
files no problem. Just import from /mnt/windows/Program Files/etc.....
In general, whatever you want to do, Linux can do it..
But the learning curve is steep.......
Derek
> "Upgrade" option and that works fine for stuff held on one of the upgrade
> FTP sites. However, I've tried downloading a few programs ("packages" in
> Linux-speak?), and once they've been downloaded I can't seem to get any
> further. The one I'm particularly interested in downloads as a .gz file,
> i.e. a zipped one. If I click it it unzips itself- fine. I then open the
> folder with the unzipped stuff and click on the file called "Setup" or
> "Install" or something like that, and it gives me an error message saying
> "cannot open the file". Am I doing the right things and have just
> downloaded the wrong installation file? It's not a .zip file so I'm quite
> sure I haven't downloaded the Windows installer by mistake. Any help would
> be great!
>
> Thanks
>
> Eric
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