Ubuntu

Installed apps won't run - can't find executable files.

Asked by Big Bill

Absolute newbie to Linux, installed Ubuntu 9.10. Very nice in so many ways, but I must be doing something wrong and I can't find the problem on my own. Have been installing different packages such as tarballs and debs. My browser (Seamonkey) is working fine. Installed Wine twice, and it will not do anything now. It worked for a day, but won't anymore. Trying to install emusic-remote download manager. Files show up in proper file system directories, but I can't get anything to do anything at all. Installed AVG for Linux. It shows up in the list of installed programs, but does nothing and I can't find any executable files, nor do I even know what the extensions for executables might be. I have tried many methods of installing, have read many forums and help pages, re-learned command-line usage (shades of old DOS), and still can't figure this out. My only successful installs were from packages that included a readme with specific instructions, which I followed to the letter. Linux is cool, but where can I get some real help straightening this out. Is there a remote-desktop service or something where a Linux expert can look at what I may have inadvertently screwed up? I know there are several areas where permissions and settings can be messed up, and I may have messed them up. Too many years marinating in Microsoft. I hate to give up on Ubuntu, being this close to success. Thanks to anyone who can shed light on this.

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arochester (arochester) said : 		#1

9 times out of 10 - DO NOT use .tars.

Use a Package Manager instead and download packages from repository.

Any particular reason why you are using Seamonkey and not Firefox?

Experience indicates to me that there is a kind of Wine hierarchy Wine, Wine-doors, Playonlinux through to the commercial varieties e.g. Cedega

To find executables use the command: which
e.g. which vlc

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ubuntu Forums - Absolute Beginner Talk - http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=326
Kubuntu Forums - Help the New Guy - http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php?board=7.0

Basic Toolkit
1) Download the Linux Starter Pack - http://www.tuxradar.com/linuxstarterpack
2) Look at the UNOFFICIAL Ubuntu Guide - http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic
3) Look at Psychocats - http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu
4) Download the Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference - http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/index_main.html

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George Standish (george-standish-deactivatedaccount) said : 		#2

Big Bill,

This is certainly a multi-part question :) Starting from the top:

1) "Have been installing different packages such as tarballs and debs" - this should generally be avoided, stick to the Ubuntu repository whenever possible, these packages are tested to work with Ubuntu (stuff from the internet, may or may not work) - there are VERY few packages I personally need to install that are not in the repository (using apt-get, synaptic or Ubuntu Software Center)

2) Wine - "sudo apt-get install wine" should give you a working version (if the other's you installed aren't interfering), typically you'd run wine from a terminal and use "wine PROGRAM_INSTALLER.EXE" to get it started. Personally I don't use wine very much, occasionally for games and that is all. From a terminal does "wine --version" work?

3) emusic-remote - I haven't personally used the emusic service since they dropped the unlimited downloads (years ago). At the time I joined because they supported linux - but when I tried using the client it failed, I was indirectly directed by their support to check the forums - which included a 3rd party command line downloader that did work - I doubt that is still available or applies.

4) AVG for Linux - I don't run any anti-virus software on my linux machine. You can see http://librenix.com/?inode=21 for details.
It really depends on the installer where executables go - but have a look in /opt for 3rd party stuff.

5) I believe the best resources for helping are the Ubuntu Forums and documentation, as well as the #ubuntu channel of Freenode IRC (that is a HUGE help, for finding help with issues) -- "sudo apt-get install xchat" to install an IRC client

6) I am not aware of any remote assistance programs/projects for linux

I hope you stick with Linux, it's certainly an up-hill-battle at first but the rewards are excellent, best of luck,
George

P.S. If you decide to stick with Ubuntu and continue to use Launchpad Answers may I suggest keeping your questions to a single topic

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j3lc (j3lc) said : 		#3

Hi Big Bill

I just want to say that i had the same problem when i first installed Ubuntu on my pc. I didn't know how to install programmes. I was familiar with the .exe files in Windows. Well just forget everything about .exe files. Installing programmes in ubuntu is very easy. Use either Software Center οr Synaptic. And as mentioned above by George Standish you don't need anti-virus software on linux. As far as wine is concerned i only use it to run games on ubuntu.

Good luck

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