General Install

When ever I download something into my computer, sometimes I have problems downloading it. I tried this for Adobe Acrobat and Limeware for Linux. Neither I can actually get to work. I am running Mandrake 10.1 community. I am still new at this, so go easy on me, as I have not quite learned all of the technical stuff, etc. What I mean is, don't assume I know anything, treat me like I am slow. Thnaks-
John

What version of linux are you using ? And are you using the X interface (graphical interface)?

KDE 3.2 is what I am using. Mandrake 10.1 Community is the type of linux operating system I am using. I don't know if this means I am using a X interface (graphical interface), but I assume I am. Here are the things I am currently working on doing:

Installing Adobe Acrobat reader, not only to install it, but for it to be used when I am online.

Java doesn't seem to work???

Trying to find and install a good and free music sharing program. I was using an older version of imesh and kazaa and something else. I am open to suggestions.

I am trying to set up my computer so when I open totem by double clicking the icon, I can read a DVD. The only way I can do it now is by opening up my terminal program and typing in totem.

Trying to figure out the best way to install applications in general. Everytime I think I find something and download it, I can never seem to get it working.

I was raised on Dos, Apples, Macs, and then Windows. I am just trying to figure out how to get my system running the best way I can. This is the only place I have found any answers at. I hope you can help me...
Thanks,
John

Unfortunately our resident linux guru is not around this past week. I will send him a link to this message to help you out.

The built in readers for PDF work great Xpdf and Kghostview are the two defaults (i prefer Xpdf)
The java bit to get Limewire working can be tricky.
Goto java.com and download the 1.5.?? JRE for linux
Now you will have j2re.blah.blah.rpm.bin
open the console and switch to root
type: sh j2re*bin
It will run and give you a bunch of legal stuff and you will be left with j2re*.rpm
type:
rpm -Uvh j2re*rpm
Now java is installed but (always something right? ) you need to link it to your path.
Exit out of root and make sure your in your home bin directory by typing:
cd ~/bin
which is where you need to be .Once your in /home/username/bin type:
ln -s /usr/java/jre1.5.0_01/bin/java
Now type: java
and you should get output and verifies java is installed.Now run Limewire.

Not sure about the totem problem. When you say "double clicking" do you mean you have an icon on the desktop? Will it not open from the Star(t) menu? I prefer Ogle for playing DVD's but in order to use Ogle you will need a boat load of dependencies so i wont go into that right now.Stick with Totem and lets see if we can get it fixed.

Amazing, I got Java. Although my computer wouldn't do the home/bin/ directory type stuff, I went online and it worked fine. Thank you.

Do you suggest limeware, or is there another program that will work better???

Is there no way, then, to get Adobe Acrobat reader??? I am assuming xpdf is its linux counterpart. I was just curious.

For totem, to run a DVD, I have to type "totem" into my terminal program for it to work. It doesn't seem to work if I click on the totem button off the Star(t) menu. Not a big deal, but it still bothers the hell out of me.

Is there any program I can get that will automatically install programs as I download them, instead of using the terminal program? I know this may be linux blasphemy, but I am just curious.

What is the x-interface, and am I using it???

Last one, I am going into Real Estate, and was curious if you knew of anyone who runs linux with all of these programs, and if there were any problems with this. I may be reaching on this, but I figured I would ask.

Thanks so much,
John

This probably come sback to the fact that I am inexperienced with linux, but because I could not install that last bit in my home directory, I cannot install limewire. My java is called: j2re-1_4_2_06-linux-i586.rpm. I will continue to play around with it, but my console does this:
-------------------------
[john@localhost john]$ sh ./LimeWireLinux.bin
Preparing to install...
Extracting the installation resources from the installer archive...
Configuring the installer for this system's environment...
No Java virtual machine could be found from your PATH
environment variable. You must install a VM prior to
running this program.
-----------------------
So I assume once I get the top part right, this will take care of the second problem. Any suggestions???
Thx John

PS it say "bash: In: command not found" ???

Edited by jhbumby, 09 January 2005 - 01:47 PM.

oooo I like output...when you open the console you see:
[john@localhost john]$
type: ls (ell ess(not an i)) and verify you have a "bin" directory
If not type:
mkdir bin
If it is there type:
cd bin ( no slash or you will be in the wrong "bin")
Leave the console open for now.

Click open your Home button and browse to:
/usr/java
and verify that you have j2re-1.4.2_06 folder
Click on that folder to get inside to the "bin" Click on bin.
Now you see the java executable? (just "java" not java_vm)
Click and hold it and drag that baby to your /home/john/bin in the left pane.
The little popup will ask "Move,Copy, Link Here"
Choose Link Here
Now jump back over to the console window ( you didnt close it right?) and type:
java
If it spits out some info:
Usage: java [-options] class [args...]
(to execute a class)
or java [-options] -jar jarfile [args...]
(to execute a jar file)

Then you are ready to install Limewire. I have tried other P2P apps but find LW the easiest to use.

There is an Acrobat Reader for Linux but it is in beta right now.Xpdf is the counterpart.

The program to automatically install software is called RPM (RedHat Package Manager)
Mandrake uses this program to install software. If you are using Konqueror or Firefox when you click on a download link of this type a box will pop up and ask to save or "Open with Software Installer" If you choose to use SI you will be prompted for the root password and the program will be installed (assuming all dependencies are met)

I am assuming you are using an x-interface since you have a desktop. KDE,Gnome,IceWM,BlackBox are examples of x-interfaces.

Right click the Star(t) menu and choose menu editor.Browse to Multimedia - Video and click Totem Movie Player.Verify that in the command box it says:
/usr/bin/totem
Hit save and then exit out then try Totem from the menu.

Here's what i found on real estate software:
http://www.icewalkers.com/Linux/Software/5...ty-Manager.html
http://real-estate-management-software.org/
but i have no idea if thats what you need.
Mandrake comes with Open Office which you can use to build spreadsheets,databases and all that office type stuff.

whew...HTH

Thank you, trying it out now... Got it. Java works and limewire works, will update the totem thing in a bit and we'll see how that works...

Thanks again- John

Edited by jhbumby, 09 January 2005 - 07:43 PM.