I have just recently installed Xandros linux on my system. installation was a cinch, but I am still new to linux, and I don't know how to install a program.

If I download a file.tar.gz , how do i install it?
 

Here's what you can do.

tar xvzf filename.tar.gz

This will extract the gzip and tar and will create the directory struecture for you.

cd to_the_directory

look for INSTALL or README files. eg. if you've downloaded apache or samba you once you get the directory you find INSTALL or README which give you directions how to compile and install the source.

Most of the times it will be,

./configure # to getnerate the make file
make # to compile the source using
# make file generated from
# step above
make install # make sure you run this step
# as root as it will need to
# write in /usr/bin
# or /usr/local/bin

But do you installed the development tools also? eg. gcc, make, development libs?

Quick Links:
Have a Linux Problem
Linux Forum - Do you have a Linux Question?

Linux Books
Linux Certification, System Administration, Programming, Networking Books

Hints and Tips on: Linux System Administration