installing

[galphiegn]

whenever i try to install a new program on linux, even though i am logged in as super user, the command prompt tells me i do not have permission. after i log in as su i type in ./filename . can someone tell me what i am doing wrong?

[dunsurfin]

It could be that the file you are trying to run needs its' permissions altered to make it executable. Can you be more specific about what you're trying to install?

[galphiegn]

well the problem has occurred over several files i have attempted to install, the most recent is an online rpg called Plane Shift. have had the same problem with flash player, and several others as well. i'm sorry if this isn't specific enough but i'm still new and don't know what else to tell you.

[dunsurfin]

For flash player you probably need to install the flash-player in Entropy. Open Spritz and search for flash in "available". I have no experience of installing Planeshift but you could try, as root,

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chmod a+x myfile

(where "myfile" is the name of the Planeshift installer file). That will change the permission of the installer file to make it executable.

[galphiegn]

thank you it worked. just out of curiosity, because i am new to linux, what did i just tell it to do that allowed it to install?

[dunsurfin]

All files have permissions that not only say who can use a file, but what it can do. You changed "chmod" the permissions to allow it to execute. I'm also fairly new to these commands and found what I wrote on this page http://linuxreviews.org/beginner/

[galphiegn]

thats a really nifty page. thnx i can use that as i can imagine any user new to linux.

[dunsurfin]

Enjoy!

[wolfden]

just keep in mind to use the package manager where you can, this will save u a lot of headaches down the road