[SOLVED] What is RPM FUSION and why use it?

[johnacandy]

Since i just started working in linux , i believe that if i could get the .rpm file onto my computer i could install the file. So a lot of websites direct me to rpm fusion, so i went there and followed a couple of instructions

now what "Enable RPM fusion on your computer " actually mean (cause i have enabled it).
now how can i browse the files that i could download through rpm fusion and how do i download them , ??? I would appreciate any advice or help thanks

[oz]

What is "RPM FUSION' why use it ?

If you've not read it already, that question and others are answered in the RPM Fusion FAQ:

FAQ - RPM Fusion

[johnacandy]

I did go throught hat part and i think i am confusing the word package with softwares.. and also going through FAQs again i couldnt find a list of available softwares such as VLC player etc .. I actually wanted to get a list of available softwares which i could get from RPM fusion and how i could install them..
Thanks for pointing me to the kink though .. I think i still need help figuring this out

[johnacandy]

okay on my fedora after following the instructions at FAQ i got the following 'var/cache/yum/i386/14/rpmfusion-free/packages now how can i see a list of available softwares ?? all the files are in xml and blank ?? what could i possibly learn from this folder?/

[elija]

RPM Fusion is a repository of software. In the Linux world, repositories are used to install software which comes in packages. In Fedora, RPM Fusion has additional software that isn't available in the Fedora repositories. It has two main sections, free and non-free both of which should be enabled to take full advantage. Repositories may not contain the latest and greatest version of a piece of software, but they will contain software that has been thoroughly tested with the version of Linux you are running.

To install software go to System -> Administration -> Add/Remove Software and use that to search the repository for what you want. You actually install the software packages simply by ticking the box next to the item(s) you want and clicking apply. This will sort out all dependencies and ask for permission to install them as well; which you should grant else you can't install the software.

Unlike Windows (and for all I know Mac OS), you will rarely need to search the Internet for software when using Linux. The two situations I have encountered is an absolute need of a more recent version of the software or that there is no suitable package in the repository.

Many Fedora questions answered

[johnacandy]

thanks for the great answer