installation? HOW??

[tr_wright1]

i have found most installations of apps with linux easy with the use of the life-saving .rpm. But, and its a BIG but, i can't install *.tar.gz packages !
i have tried configure which give an output of command not found ! and make which gives an output of no makefile found (even though there is one there ) and something else that i can't remember.
plz will anyone help as this mess has realy limited my install ability .

[ooop]

You are running

tar -xvvzf foo.tar.gz

I assume.

and if that says : "command not found",
then you need to install tar. (Don't get how it can not be there though)

[big_k105]

commands are as followed for most apps

tar zxvf file.tar.gz
cd filedirectory
./configure
make
su
make install

but after you do the tar command then you jst need to read the INSTALL file or the README file. this way you will know how to install that specified app.
good luck