UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I am trying to install a couple applications that I downloaded on my Debian Etch 4.0 OS but I don't know how.

1) I tried using sudo apt-get install...but it always tells me I'm not in the sudoers file
2) I tried using root terminal, but I cant seem to navigate anywhere and I don't know where to put the file so that root terminal sees it. ~/Desktop does not work in root terminal and this is where I have these applications.
3) I tried simple double clicking on the application.run after selecting the execute properties, and it executes then stops and tells me that I need to be a super user. but I dont know how to log on as a super user. Fact...I thot I was a super user...shrug

I am sure there are plenty of ways to install an application on Debian Etch 4.0....I just need one of them. My preference is knowing how to install it using root terminal, but how the hell can i get to my desktop from root terminal?

Thanks,

My name is Will...and "I'm a PC"

Hi.

Welcome to the forum.

Most people use a package manager to deal with software in GNU/Linux. The main reason is ease of organization. The Debian repositories have around 20K packages, so most often what you want is there.

Outside packages can represent risks to the integrity of your system. Installing them outside the package manager's knowledge may replace something that is important, and if a number of items get installed, you may have a difficult time recalling what was installed and where they were installed, should you need to remove.

I suggest you look at the page below to see how most people accomplish this. If you have questions after that, post again. Try installing something small -- perhaps the par package, it's a little tool for formatting text -- and then remove it for practice. Both operations are easily done with apt-get. The use of apt-get requires that you become root:

Code:

su -
(enter root password)
apt-get ... (actions)

The companion program, apt-cache, can be used to search the repositories. It does not require you to become root. Try:

Code:

apt-cache search par
apt-cache show par

to see how it works. It also has a man page.

There are GUI analogs to apt-get like synaptic, but I tend to use the command-line.

Debian page: APT HOWTO - Managing packages

Note that this forum is exceedingly friendly, but tends to aim at folks using Unix flavors -- aix, hp-ux, Solaris, etc. There are lots of folks who use GNU/Linux, but I would not call that the main focus.

Best wishes ... cheers, drl

Well I'v used: "su -" before but it does the same thing. I can not change directories after i use su- or root terminal.

For instance: I have a linux ati display driver package on my desktop.

I can not use "cd ~/Desktop" it just does not work unless I use a regular terminal (which has no privilages).

I tried puting the driver install package in my home directory...but it does not see the file once I go to root.

How can I be in root...and see these files???

Hi.
If you are root, then to cd to a different user desktop you need to specify which user desktop, like so:

Code:

cd ~username/Desktop

or

Code:

cd /home/username/Desktop

cheers, makyo