How do I install something?

Installing software in Ubuntu is very specific, in this article you will find everything you need --
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallingSoftware.

I read the information provided in the link but it didn't help at all. I keep getting an error message. I tried using "sudo" & "su" but nether of them worked. I get some kind of error message. Even after I run a clean install the error message I keep getting in the terminal is still there & the same.

I tried using the package manager but it's just annoying, it wont let me install anything I download to my desktop. Every tutorial says (Write click it & apply or add) or something like that I don't really remember. I tried searching for java in the package manager & I got a few hundred programs. After scrolling down & checking all of them; it took me about an hour. I clicked next; install them. I get an error message saying it can't do it.

So anyway, can someone help troublesoot this problem with me because it's starting to look like all of those viruses with Windows are worth it since it's so easy to install & use whatever you want "Right away..."

It is very easy to install software in Ubuntu too. Actually easier than in windows.

Please tell us what exact error message you get. Also please tell us what software you want to install and we can advice you on which package to select.

Thanks

Here is the error message:

----------------------------------------------------------

To run a command as administrator (user "root"), use "sudo <command>".
See "man sudo_root" for details.

admin-eu@admin-eu-desktop:~$ su
Password:
su: Authentication failure
admin-eu@admin-eu-desktop:~$

----------------------------------------------------------

I'm trying to install java; http://java.com/en/download/linux_manual.jsp?locale=en&host=java.com:80

I picked the second one and I followed the instructions to use "su" but I only got that far...

Any help would be great.
Thanks!

1) We use in ubuntu sudo instead of su.

sudo <command>

2) It is recommended to install the ubuntu packages if available instead of the original packages. I.e. you want to install the sun-java6 packages. You can install them either in a package manager (synaptic, adept, or add packages) by searching for sun-java6, or use the commandline command:

sudo apt-get install <packagename(s)>

The following packages are available:

sun-java6-bin - Sun Java(TM) Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 (architecture dependent files)
sun-java6-demo - Sun Java(TM) Development Kit (JDK) 6 demos and examples
sun-java6-doc - Sun JDK(TM) Documention -- integration installer
sun-java6-fonts - Lucida TrueType fonts (from the Sun JRE)
sun-java6-javadb - Java(TM) DB, Sun Microsystems' distribution of Apache Derby
sun-java6-jdk - Sun Java(TM) Development Kit (JDK) 6
sun-java6-jre - Sun Java(TM) Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 (architecture independent files)
sun-java6-plugin - The Java(TM) Plug-in, Java SE 6
sun-java6-source - Sun Java(TM) Development Kit (JDK) 6 source files

I hope this helps.

Theres to many thing to chose from. I just want to install the standard installer from Java. I also have a LimeWire PRO installer for Linux & I want to install that. Can someone please just tell me how to get this to work because I would like to be able to install anything I want whenever I want. Virus or not, It's just as bad when you can't use any third party applications.

Sure. The instructions are very simple.

Download any source package you like. Follow the instructions in the README file.

Hope this helps.

Well after unpacking it via

tar -xvzf <packagename.tar.gz>

or

tar -xvjf <pacakgename.tar.bz2>

That doesn't help at all...
I don't understand what you are talking about.

All I need to know what to do step by step command by command.

The file is saved to the desktop what do I do from there.
Just give me instructions from there.

If it is a source package:

1) Unpack the file with the tar command above.

2) Read the readme file for the instructions how to compile and install.

If it is a binary package, what binary format is it?

if it is a .deb,

sudo dpkg --install <packagename>

otherwise convert the package to .deb with the alien package or something like that

Try the instructions on this link:
http://justbored.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/how-to-install-a-bin-file-linuxubuntu/

I came across this on the web so I'm posting this even though it's old. Sun's self extracting rpm's have a bin extension. ie: java.rpm.bin and I don't think they're much help in ubuntu. Ubuntu users should download the non rpm one I think. Otherwise Curio's instructions were good. (RPM's are for Red Hat and some other non-Debian versions of Linux, the Ubuntu and Debian versions use .deb)

i can't watch youtube videos.
i need help...
i have checked a lot of tutorials but none of them worked.
i don't know if i am doing it wrong or if none of them is the solution for my problem.
(i am an ubuntu newbe)

Cool, please provide more info on your issue. More details, how you installed. type of computer. OS version. Dual-boot or not. Have internet connection on your ubuntu or not and any and all other information will help us help you.