installing/running programs.


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Top Forums UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers installing/running programs.
# 1  
Old 12-01-2005
installing/running programs.

Hey folks, i'm a total newbie at linux (only installed it yesterday) so don't be mad at me for querying this. I downloaded firefox, and unpacked the library files and binaries into /usr/lib/firefox. Now, am I correct in thinking that to run it, I need to enter the 'sh /usr/lib/firefox' command into the terminal? (cos it's working right now)

If so, is there any way that I can add a command to my shell profile so that I don't need to enter it every time I want to start a program.

If i'm way off here, could someone enlighten me with the correct procedure for installing and running programs in linux.

(i'm running RedHat 9 by the way and would rather learn how to do it properly instead of taking the rpm route)

thanks,
Shep.
# 2  
Old 12-05-2005
Quote:
Originally Posted by shep
Hey folks, i'm a total newbie at linux (only installed it yesterday) so don't be mad at me for querying this. I downloaded firefox, and unpacked the library files and binaries into /usr/lib/firefox. Now, am I correct in thinking that to run it, I need to enter the 'sh /usr/lib/firefox' command into the terminal? (cos it's working right now)

If so, is there any way that I can add a command to my shell profile so that I don't need to enter it every time I want to start a program.

If i'm way off here, could someone enlighten me with the correct procedure for installing and running programs in linux.

(i'm running RedHat 9 by the way and would rather learn how to do it properly instead of taking the rpm route)

thanks,
Shep.
You mentioned that you unpacked the whole thing into /usr/lib/firefox

I guess you must have done an rpm install. If not, what did you do ?


You dont need to do sh /usr/lib/firefox to run firefox. Issuing a firefox is more than enough. Provided, you have /usr/lib in your path. It is the same as issuing a mozilla. It (usually) picks up /usr/bin/mozilla and runs the script and later invokes another executable. Same should be the case with the firefox as well.
# 3  
Old 12-06-2005
I unzipped with tar -zxvf <filename> to the directory /usr/lib, checked that /usr/lib was in PATH with echo $PATH, and issued a 'firefox' command in terminal.
It runs, but I was just wondering if the terminal is supposed to 'hang', that is, should i be able to use the same terminal for other commands as it doesn't give me a new user prompt - I have to open a new terminal tab to do anything else.
# 4  
Old 12-06-2005
Do this:
Code:
firefox &

# 5  
Old 12-06-2005
Thanks, folks.
I think i'm getting the hang of this Linux business...
 
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

10 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. AIX

Installing programs on AIX

G'day all. Thanks to everyone for helping me getting my h50 rs/6000 server going Now i need just a bit more help. Can anyone tell me how i install other software using remote console? (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: ADS2459
2 Replies

2. Ubuntu

Installing Commercial Linux Programs

I a writing a program which I would like to distribute commercially to Linux users. This question doesn't apply specifically to Ubuntu, but Ubuntu will be one of the Linux systems involved, and Ubuntu is one of the systems on which I have practiced installing. I have sufficient Linux experience... (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: BrandonShw
5 Replies

3. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Installing programs in Unix

I have installed a software called GMT, then writing a script that call the new programs ./example02.sh but I am getting ./example02.sh: line 20: gmtset: command not found I have done ./configure make make install (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: kristinu
1 Replies

4. Shell Programming and Scripting

Running programs

I have installed a software called GMT, then writing a script that call the new programs ./example02.sh but I am getting ./example02.sh: line 20: gmtset: command not found I have done ./configure make make install (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: kristinu
0 Replies

5. Shell Programming and Scripting

Running programs in perl

I am trying to run a program called GMT using perl. Cannot make to run. I have tried using exec("date"); as a test but when I use exec($try); nothing happens. #!/usr/bin/perl print "$#ARGV\n"; if ($#ARGV != 3) { print "usage: jcdplot.perl\n"; exit; } $h = $ARGV;... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: kristinu
1 Replies

6. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

installing unix programs

hi everyone, I'm new to the forums. I am in the process of learning unix. I have a problem installing a unix program. The program at question is Links. It is an internet browser. I have the INSTALL notes, but I'm not having much luck at all. Any ideas on how to install? (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: fissm
3 Replies

7. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

running X-11 programs as root

Hello, I would like to run gedit as root while logged into my regular user account. When I try to launch gedit from the command line as super user, I get this message: Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: Any suggestions or word arounds? It would make my life a lot simpler to edit files... (8 Replies)
Discussion started by: Allasso
8 Replies

8. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Installing Programs

Hello, I have a simple question. How do make it so i can lauch a program from the shell. For instance I want to install firefox 2 and I wanna launch it with ff2 in the terminal, so i tried this to my .bashrc file: alias ff2='/path/./firefox' and its not working as I would hope. anywho,... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: SeamusHC
2 Replies

9. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

running preinstalled programs

Im using the knoppix version of linux, which is booting straight off the cd, and it shows my c drive (partiton) that has all my programs i have installed in my xp operating system. Im wondering if theres a way i can play my games like lotr return of the king, or jedi academy, in knoppox. it shows... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: jestra
2 Replies

10. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Installing Programs In Linux

I am not sure how to install a program in linux. I have Java 2 on a CD the CD Mounts but then I'm lost. What do I need to do so that the programm will install on my system? Thank you, Monkette (6 Replies)
Discussion started by: kdelph
6 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question