How to install linux programs?

Question

I have a archive files or something like this. It is ".tar.bz2" format. I am using kubuntu... similar to ubuntu... I know how to extract it. I dont know where to extract the files to. There isn't a folder named "prgrams files" or something.
I know how to extract and i just extract it to somewhere on the computer and i can run the program. But i need to open the program folder and find the application and click it. How to create a shortcut in the start menu or something?

Answer 1

It would help if I knew exactly what you were installing.

First I'll point you to were you can get software far easier then I'll answer your question directly. You can find hundreds of programs to easily install under Add/Remove option, or find the ksynaptic program which is pretty much the same thing. If you can't find what your looking for there you can download .deb installer files, GetDeb is a great source for these.

Where to extract a bz2 file is depends all on what you downloaded, and since it isn't made specifically for (k)Ubuntu it will not setup a menu for you. It may be a stand alone binary program in that case you extract it to one folder and run it from there. Linux doesn't have a "Program Files" type folder, read about Linux Files system Hierarchy to understand where files may go. Most likely the bz2 file is a source file which isn't trivial to install. I requires understanding the documentation (usually included) about building that particular program, a compiler program and the necessary development packages.

Answer 2

You virtually never need to download "Tarballs" for Kubuntu.



Use System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager to find, and install, new programs in Kubuntu.



Use System > Administration > Update Manager to keep Kubuntu "Up-to-date" (like Windows updates).



But, to answer your question: How to install, as Root, from a Tarball



Open a Terminal Window first, then:



# tar -xzvf package-name.tar.gz

# cd package-name

# ./configure

# make

# make install



TIP: You must replace "package-name" above with the actual package name, like "Firefox".



Now, do you see why I mention the other options first?

Answer 3

How to add a shortcut depends on what desktop manager you're using.



If you have GNOME, see http://www.google.com/search?q=add+applications+menu+shortcut+gnome&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a



If you have KDE, see http://docs.kde.org/kde3/en_GB/kdebase/userguide/adding-programs.html

Answer 4

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