command line error

[lysander]

i keep getting a command liner error window, when ever i download a program or software, when i try to open the SETUP.EXE i am using ubuntu 9.04 am i missing something, a file, maybe or update, what? i cant install google desk top gadgets, or unit converter, a phonebook program, system monitor software, nothing

[elija]

i keep getting a command liner error window, when ever i download a program or software, when i try to open the SETUP.EXE i am using ubuntu 9.04 am i missing something, a file, maybe or update, what? i cant install google desk top gadgets, or unit converter, a phonebook program, system monitor software, nothing

This is one of the most common areas of confusion for people moving from Windows to Linux. You usually (> 99% of the time) have no need to go out onto the Internet and download software. It will be in the distributions repository.

There are two main ways to install software.

1. Use Synaptic
Go to System -> Administration -> Synatptic Package Manger
Type google-gadgets-gtk
When it appears in the box, tick the checkbox next it and click apply.
It will be downloaded and installed.

2. Use the terminal
Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories Terminal)
Type sudo apt-get install google-gadgets-gtk and press enter

You should be able to search for whatever software you need in synaptic or by using sudo apt-cache search whatever in a terminal.

[edit]
You don't need to know the package name but in this case I did. Another alternative to Google Gadgets are screenlets.
[/edit]

[jmadero]

remember also that .exe is for windows not for linux. Although you can run many progmrams through Wine it's better just to find the native alternative. What phone book program, system monitor, etc.. are you trying to get installed?

For system monitor you can either setup conky (takes some time but it's slick and efficient), or use desklets, or lastly, you can just monitor using the command "top" in terminal.

For phone book, I recommend just using evolution or thunderbird's contact stuff, and then if you want you can setup email clients as well

I personally find google gadgets to be...worthless ...but you can get them through synaptic like elija said

Basically a repository system is just servers with tons of apps that you can call using the apt-get command or one of several package managers. The benefit of this system is huge:

1. No more googling and going to a ton of webpages to find .exe files

2. Auto installs dependencies. Unlike Windows, Linux tries to keep the general OS relatively unbloated (Ubuntu is considered to be a "bloated Linux OS" but still is substancially less so than Windows. So if you'll never need library XYZ, it won't be installed, but if a program needs it, you'll auto install the libraries plus the program.

3. Lastly, most of the time permissions are setup better using repositories.

Hope that helps