Basic Linux unzip/install question(s)

Hi, I'm really new to linux and I downloaded the mandrake 10.0 version.

I was just wondering, because I installed the linux on my Compaq Presario 1900 laptop and wanna see the battery monitor...i downloaded some programs for it. However, they are all in tar.gz. And when i run them...they unzip like regular winzip programs...but now is the part I'm stuck with, how/where do i install these files in?

I know the question might sounded a bit vague so maybe I should put this to the question. After I extracted the tar.gz file, there's a control.tar.gz and a data.tar.gz file in it also....what do i do with those? I tried unzipping the data.tar.gz one and it has the samefolders in the /usr ...so I'm not so sure what do to next. Thanks.

Oh one more thing. My laptop does not have a built-in wireless connection to it so i bought a buffalo pcmcia pc card...does anyone know how to install the driver to it? or where to download the linux version of the driver? Thanks again.


-Shrimpcraft

It is really hard to tell you what to do with these files. I usually visit the web page for the linux app I am installing and read the instructions on how to install it there.

Many unix/linux programs are required to be compiled before you use them. If you download a binary, a precompiled version, you just need to know where to put the files.

Is there a README or INSTALL file in there at all? That usually explains what to do

Enable the KLaptop graphical power meter.
Click the Star menu - System - Configuration and select Configure Your Desktop. It is not necessary to be root to do this. In the left hand column, click on PowerControl and then, in the menu that appears beneath it, click on Laptop Battery. Then check the box near Show battery monitor, click on the button Start Battery Monitor, and click Apply at the bottom.

thank you very much raw