New to Linux. Want to understand the basics

[bhushan05d251]

I m new for linux. i have installed Ubuntu 7.04 today. It is quite difficult to understand because i don't know anything about linux. But I have understood some basics like changing background, changing settings, mounting disks, burning cd-dvds, connecting to internet etc.

But if I want to install softwares downloaded from net then what i do. which installation as well as executable files are supported by ubuntu? I have downloaded RealPlayer10Gold.bin but it is not an executable file.

Also tell me which Linux is most advanced, best, and reliable for desktop users?

Thank you.

[freebird]

All the softwares are managed by package managers(apt,dpkg) in Debian and Ubuntu.
For connecting to internet if u have dataone connection or any adsl pppoe is here:
http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/show...3&postcount=12
^ its easy!
for dialup internet it can be done by wvdial and pppconfig.
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/setting-up...in-ubuntu.html
for this u need to know Terminal(rightclik on Desktop to "open terminal" or menu Applications>Accessories>terminal)
u r the local user so "$" prompt for root user "#" prompt.
local user does not have the right to modify and access all services.
ur home folder is where u got almost all rights (/home/user/)

First site u should visit after installed feisty is:
http://ubuntuguide.org
^ there it explains all well.
first make sure u have the /etc/apt/sources.list looks as mine or uncomment(remove "#") to enable the repositories.

# # If you get GPG errors with this sources.list, locate the GPG key in this file
# # and run these commands (where KEY is replaced with that key)
# #
# # gpg --keyserver hkp://subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys KEY
# # gpg --export --armor KEY | sudo apt-key add -
#Ubuntu Security
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security main restricted
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security main restricted
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security universe
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security universe
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-security multiverse

# # Ubuntu supported packages
# # GPG key: 437D05B5
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty main restricted
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty main restricted
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates main restricted
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates main restricted

#
# # Ubuntu community supported packages
# # GPG key: 437D05B5
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty universe multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates universe multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-updates universe multiverse

# # Ubuntu backports project
# # GPG key: 437D05B5
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-backports main restricted universe multiverse

#### Proposed Multiverse ####
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-proposed main restricted universe multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ feisty-proposed main restricted universe multiverse


#### Canonical Commercial ####
deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu feisty-commercial main

save this.u can do that only as root user or sudo.
now go to Menu System>Administration>Synaptic package manager.there u find all these even realplayer etc.No need to search net for softwares all are there in apt(synaptic).

[mediator]

Its all about getting used to an OS. Spend some time and explore it.
About realplayer, right click on it=> properties=> give execute permission to the owner and then click it. U shud do that as root.

Or simply open the terminal in the directory containing that 'realplayer" file/setup and follow the simple commands.
1. "chmod +x RealPlayer10Gold.bin"
2. "sudo sh RealPlayer10Gold.bin" or "sudo ./RealPlayer10Gold.bin"
3. Ur done!

Also see this
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Feisty
And use the "add/remove" thing in the "application" menu to install softwares!