Ubuntu
gnome-terminal package

run as root:what does it mean?

Asked by sdim

Dear friends
I've just started using Ubuntu and everything is OK,but installing codecs and other programs manually,can really discourage someone who doesn't know how to do this.
I'm trying to use Alien to convert a RPM package into DEB.
1) I've installed Alien through APT,so where is it installed?How nan I pin it on the desktop and create a shortcut?
2) When trying the command "alien -d avg75flm-r45-a0973.i386.rpm" to convert this package to DEB,it tells me I "must run as root" or "you may use fakeroot" to convert.

What does that mean?
Thanks to everyone who can provide any answers.

P.S. How can I install the MAD MP3 Decoding Library and plugins?

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Ubuntu gnome-terminal Edit question
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Robin Lewis
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Best Robin Lewis (garf13ld-a) said : 		#1

When it says run a command as root just run it with sudo before the command.

eg
sudo alien -d xyz.rpm

Revision history for this message
Gord Allott (gordallott) said : 		#2

most programs/codecs can be installed via the synaptic package manager, newer versions of ubuntu (feisty) will even install codecs you don't have as you need them if you use totem.

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attikon (attikon) said : 		#3

Hello sdim.

About the MAD lib you asked, I know there is a type of "plugin" package for xmms (if you use that) called xmms-mad. I'm not sure if it works universally or only with the named program though. Based on Gord's answer above I guess that it works as a standalone library that any program can use. Anyway, you can install it using apt-get. Basically to get the whole xmms goodies (its a music player pretty much like winamp) type in a terminal:
sudo apt-get install xmms xmms-mad xmms-skins xmms-wma

Have a nice day, I hope that will help you.

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sdim (socratesdim1) said : 		#4

Thanks Robin Lewis, that solved my question.