Linux assistance part II

[jawnbc]

Hello peoples. I has 2 Linux questions:

1. I managed to log on OK and even got the network working, praise the baby Jaysus. But when I downloaded an update to Firefox I couldn't find any installer. So I tried to switch to the root user via the GUI and was told no can do that.

Question 1: How do I install new software?



Question 2: What applications would you recommend for net stuff and graphic stuff?

tanks

Comments

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Firefox generally comes as some sort of gzipped folder. pop open a terminal, switch to root (or sudo) and go to the directory where you want to install firefox. (generally /usr/local/) then untar/gzip the folder. For instance if I downloaded it to my home dir, it would be

"tar -xzf /home/myusername/firefox-2.0.5.tar.gz" (which will unzip it in the current directory.)

If you're too lazy to switch dirs you could do:

"tar -xzf /home/yourusername/firefox.tar.gz /usr/local/"

Of course if you downloaded firefox somewhere else, substitute that path.

[garpu.livejournal.com]

That is, firefox is already "installed," so to speak. You just need to unzip the folder somewhere in your $PATH. Same with thunderbird.

graphic programs: gimp! it's already installed, i think.

[jawnbc]

OK...but how do I switch to root?

[garpu.livejournal.com]

at a command line type "su" and then your root password.

[garpu.livejournal.com]

you know about sudo? it's a nifty little tool for something like this: http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2005/06/sudo-give-selective-super-user-powers.html

Plus if querrlle needs to do something on your computer that needs root, you don't need to give out your root password (or be there.)

[mikeybill.livejournal.com]

Mama, what's a linux?

[schillerium.livejournal.com]

If you're downloading the update through synaptic or the update manager, you don't need to find the installer, as it should have installed automatically.

If you're manually downloading .debs from somewhere else, however, then you should install a package called gdebi to ease the installation process.

Net stuff: I use the standard Firefox/T-bird combo, and Gaim for IM (although I don't actually run it all that often.) Graphics: other than the combo that came preinstalled with Ubuntu, the only extra I installed was The GIMP. I'm still not entirely used to the ways in which it's different from Photoshop, though.

[micromegas.livejournal.com]

Hey, mind if I add you?

[jawnbc]

sure, go for it!