New to Linux

[Marshy]

I Just installed Linux and must say i love the way everything is however i didn't know how hard installing new programs would be ..right now Im trying on installing Apache web server but have no idea how to build binary for it or anything i just need a little guidance on it.

[rave]

depends on the how supported your distro is. what distro are you using by the way?
for my opensuse i download all the RPMs from Guru's Suse Repositories. RPMs makes sure everything doesnt go wrong.

most of the time to build a source u need to:
1. untar by doing tar xvzf filename.tar.gz
2. go to the directory and type ./configure which will check if you have everything that is needed to run the program.
3. then type make
4. then type make install

if you have mandriva or suse or whatever i really suggest you use a repository. i always found it hard to make 2 programs to work together if you build them by source. get used to a lot of text scrolling in your terminal

[Marshy]

I have Kubuntu just cause its meant to be easy for people new to linux.

[rave]

well... linux is a learning process. for fish out of water like us. i've only been using it for a month. i have never tried the ubuntu series. but building sources are the same throughout. just read up various sites. i've provided you the basics.
me, i couldnt be bothered with apache, php and mysql conflicts, so i just installed xampp. its painless. get it at http://www.xampp.org

[Marshy]

Thanks for the advice i will try that out.

[mikeL]

After you un-tar the prgram you can find a install file, which will give you specifics on how to install the program.

most programs will use the method rave stated:
from the terminal log in as root (see below)
su -
"root password"

cd to program source
tar -xvfz (sometimes the z cannot be used) program name.tar.gz
cd to the program name folder, just created by tar
./configure
make
make install

sit back, and relax. Because this process especially "make" will take some time.

I prefer to compile from a tarball, rather than a rpm file. but that is just me

Mike

[faulkner132]

Here is the easy way to set up a LAMP server in Ubuntu or Kubuntu:
http://www.132solutions.com/ubuntu/h...hp?webcut=lamp

Note, instead of Synaptic (GNOME), you will use either Adept or Kynaptic in KDE.

[RenegadeKing]

Since you are using kubuntu, I highly recommend you use the repository for getting software as mentioned above. I've been using Slackware for a few years, so I'm used to just compiling everything from source, and it works fine for me. Big mistake when I tried that on a machine running Ubuntu however.

[faulkner132]

Originally Posted by RenegadeKing Since you are using kubuntu, I highly recommend you use the repository for getting software as mentioned above. I've been using Slackware for a few years, so I'm used to just compiling everything from source, and it works fine for me. Big mistake when I tried that on a machine running Ubuntu however.

I agree with RK here. Use the repositories when possible... infinitely easier.
I initially set up a LAMP server compiling from source before MySQL 5 was introduced into the repositories and it was more trouble than it was worth.

[kilgoretrout]

Kubuntu and ubuntu are primarily designed for desktop use for those new to linux. I don't associate the "buntus" with servers but I believe there is a specialized ubuntu server edition.

If you want to set up a server, the big dogs here are Red Hat and Novel/Suse on the commercial side and debian and slackware on the noncommercial/community type distros. Mandriva also has all the server stuff on their install dvd IIRC. Setting up a server on debian or slackware from scratch is probably beyond your ability at this point. I'd say, go with suse or mandriva as they each have setup wizards making server configuration easier and there are nice step by step tutorials on server setup on the net:

http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_suse_9.3

http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_mandrake_10_2

Both suse and mandriva are freely downloadable.

RH is the main linux server distro used in an enterprise setting. Their commercial product, RHEL, is not free but there are many knockoff clones (eg. Centos). RH also maintains a community version called fedora which tends to be more bleeding edge than RHEL and is freely downloadable. If you are interested in learning linux for professional/employment reasons, I'd go with fedora since RH servers are what you are likely to see in a commercial setting. Fedora also comes with a lot of nice server setup utilities and there is a wealth of info on RH/fedora sever configuration:

http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_fedora_core_4

Finally, as noted by others, compiling from source is not the way to go as all the distros mentioned, ubuntu, fedora, suse and mandriva, have precompiled binaries for LAMP which greatly simplify installation.