New to linux, please help!

[danielkx]

Hello, as the title suggests, i am brand new to linux. I am a windows user, and i am quite computer savvy, but i dont know what i am doing with linux lol.

I installed opensuse 11.0 on my second hard drive, i am running kde 4

So, the problems i am having are simply i cannot open or uncompress any files. I have search these forums for threads explaining how to use certain file types, and when i try those methods, nothing works. For example i am trying to install licq and here is what i do.
tar -zxvf licq-1.3.5.tar.gz --this was what was suggested in a current thread about how to open a tar.gz file. Here is what i get when i enter that command into the terminal program.

tar: licq-1.3.5.tar.gz: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
tar: Child returned status 2
tar: Error exit delayed from previous errors

Another example, i tried to install firefox 3.0 for linux since opensuse 11 comes with the beta version. I enter into the terminal, tar jxvf firefox-3.0.tar.bz2. I get the same message as with licq.

I have other questions, but these are more of a concern because it appears something is wrong with the terminal program, or i am just flat out doing something wrong.

So any help would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and dont flame me if stuff like this has been asked before, simply point me in the right direction if that is the case. Thanks.

[harner]

It sounds like you are entering that command in a directory that the file does not exist in.

For example, in a command prompt window you type "cscript audit.vbs" in the C:\Docs & Settings\user directory, when the file actually exists in C:\Docs & Settings\user\Desktop.

Where are you downloading the files to? Your desktop?
Are you logging in as root or a user?
Do you understand the file system and how to navigate through it via command line? cd, ls, cat, pwd - these are all your friends here...

[danielkx]

Yes i download the files to the desktop. Umm, no i dont log in as root, at least i dont think i do : P If i remember correctly, when i installed the OS i gave myself admin authority, but i can always login as root in the terminal, which i tried when trying to install the previously stated programs but i still get the same results.

I know very little about the commands in the linux and how to navigate through the file system... but i am not asking for a full tutorial regarding that. Even though i would love one, that is far to much to ask here, that is something i will try and learn more about at a later time, and if i have specific problems, i will come here.

But if you can tell me what i am doing wrong with the previously stated problem, and then, if you know the solution, could you sort of guide me on what to do next? If not that is ok, i am sure i can figure it out from there.

Thanks again.

[harner]

Okay, so you downloaded the tarball to the desktop. That means it is in the Desktop folder within your user's home folder.

Open the terminal and type:
ls

You can see a list of files and folders. Desktop should be in there. Type:
cd Desktop

Now, try your tar command. You should really invest in some books or something if you wish on taking on a Linux OS. If you have any questions, either search this forum or Google. I'd be willing to chat via AIM or MSN if I'm online.

[gkiran.linux]

Hi Harner,

I would like to know iptables, could you please help me out here where i can find some pdf files or any website specially for that. It would be great if i can have your MSN id.

Kiran

[danielkx]

Thanks harner, that worked. But now when i try to install licq it says i do not have a c compiler... i downloaded gcc, but i havent installed it yet.

also, i added you to my windows messenger, just letting you know

thanks for your help.

[gogalthorp]

Unless you really must install by hand it is always best to install via Yast or another installer like smart. So install the gcc by Yast. You will regret it if you install by hand unless you really know the Linux system.

If you installed via DVD the gcc compiler is there you don't need to even download. It just does not get installed by default. I always install the gcc and the kernel-source because I know I'll need them sometime.

[danielkx]

I dont know how to use yast lol... as i said, i am very new to linux, im so use to crappy windows that i can no longer use my brain :PP If you would be kind enough to tell me how to use yast to install something like gcc or other software, that would be great

[gogalthorp]

So easy you will kick yourself

start Yast from the menu. It will request the root password enter it

then Software-Software Management

Search for gcc. You will get lots of hits you only need the main gcc package for most things unless you are a developer that uses Fortran or some other compiled language.

Check it then install.

You probably should add some additional repositories. (Suse software supply sites with pre-compiled packages for Suse)

Also done in Yast. Think of Yast as being the what Windows control center should have been.

Also I hope you really did not give you normal user name root privileges. A very very bad idea. This is one of the main things that makes Windows a major target of malware and protects Linux machines form the same.

You do not want to normally run as root or with root privileges.

Here is some pages that will help you with additional repositories
Repositories - openSUSE-Community
Additional YaST Package Repositories - openSUSE

You will want at least Packman for multi-media stuff

[danielkx]

thanks a lot, it is easier than i thought lol.
yast is going through the stuff now