ok. I'm definitely doing something wrong

10i

10i

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I am trying to download a program, any program. Let's use gpaint as an ex ample. I tried to search for it in the package manager, but could not find it. So I google and download a compressed file. Extract files, use ./ configure and everything seems fine, but on the nest step everything goes wrong and I get pages of error messages. What is the correct way to install software in Linux?
 
What package manager and distro are you using?
 
Have you tried updating your respositories? Click on the update link, or type "sudo apt-get update" in your terminal.
 
The way you are doing it is correct the reason you get errors is cause something will be missing What you need to do is paste the errors here so someone can tell you whats missing
 
I always find it useful to install the build-essential package (debian name) when installing/compiling stuff from the sources.

Maybe it will contain all the things needed? But without the actual error output this is all just speculation.
 
I am running my updates through GPRS. which is very expensive to update everything... some things I do manage to install. last night I downloaded puppy linux and even managed to install a few extra games for it.
 
It is a good practice to use only your distros package manager to install stuff. That way you can easily track what has been installed and remove it easily again.

But if you HAVE to install from a 3rd source, unpack the archive and read the README and INSTALL files, they should be standard in almost all archives and detailed instructions on installation and know issues will be listed in there.
 
Thanks for the help guys.

I am slowly advancing with Linux and maybe some day soon will be able to remove Windows from my PC. That is my goal.
 
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