Different Linux Distributions have different ways of installing software.
A generic way is to use a TarBall, which includes the source files for the program. You have to compile the software so you can run it.
Uncompress the file using tar(1)
Change to the uncompressed directory
Run the configure script. This sets up a MakeFile which enables the software to compile and run on your system.
Build the program
Change to the SuperUser
Install the software
Close the terminal
Redhat and Mandrake use the Redhat Package Manager (RPM) to install and maintain software. Programs are released as binary files in an rpm package.
To install:
Change to the SuperUser
Install the package
apt-get install packagename
installpkg packagename.tgz
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