Completely Newbie

[jedcino]

Dear Friends,

I would like to ask for your help as I am a complete newbie in Linux. I've recently installed Fedora core 6 in my laptop (a friend of mine gave me a copy of it), but I have no idea in installing and configuring plug ins for bundled apps with it (like totem)as well as other softwares that I'd like to use.. like real player, flv etc. I am also encountering problems with updates as this is always ending up with an error message.

Can you please help me where to begin? Thanks very much in advance for your help!!!

[ausadl]

look at:
http://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-fc6.html

[jedcino]

Thanks very much!

[zarkann]

well, first, if you plan to use fedora or any linux distrib, you can start by reading a book like "Linux for Non-Geeks: A Hands-On, Project-Based, Take-It-Slow Guidebook" ISBN:1593270348 or "
Linux All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, 2nd Edition" ISBN:9780471752622 . it will help you understand the basic of linux and will as well tell you how to install some very neat software for video playing, music, games etc.. Of course you can also browse this forum on wich you can find lots of nice informations. tip : use the search button. to install totem, you just have to type this "sudo yum install totem" it will ask you for your root password. it might tell you as well that your account is not an authorized sudoer.. then you just have to type this "su" type the root password and then type "yum install totem".

can you tell us a little bit more about your error message that you get ?

[InKo]

hi jedcino,

I hope I understand your problem correctly... :)

1. to install an application use yum (as root):

yum install <app_name>

to play diverse media formats I would suggest to use VLC and MPLAYER (installation via yum).
2. to get codec plugin, if I am not mistaken, you must install gstreamer

yum install gstreamer-*

3. updates: which errors did you get? network problems? repositories wrong configured? please more details

I dont use realplayer but I heard one can download the installer from the realplayer homepage. Actually with vlc and mplayer, the realplayer is nolonger needed. :)

[jedcino]

Hi Zarkann,

Yes, I think I might get a couple of those books you've mentioned.

Hi Inko,

I did get errors for updates. It usually happens right after applying it. I'll get the exact message when I'd do the updating again. As for the network, I have put in the ip address in the network configuration DNS box and have saved it more than a couple of times; but when I tried to boot it up again and I get to check the ip add in the DNS box of network configuration.. it reverts back to its default ip address. So every time I get to boot up and connect to the internet, I'd do this again and again...

As with the real player, I down loaded it directly from their website and after installation.. the application won't launch..

I am thankful for this forum as I'm beginning to learn more and more about this operating system and its power. Thanks and more power to all!!!

[InKo]

As for the network, I have put in the ip address in the network configuration DNS box and have saved it more than a couple of times; but when I tried to boot it up again and I get to check the ip add in the DNS box of network configuration.. it reverts back to its default ip address. So every time I get to boot up and connect to the internet, I'd do this again and again...


hmmm. change then in the network inteface file directly (as root):

gedit /etc/sysconfig/networking/devices/ifcfg-eth0

and set the Namerserver in /etc/resolv.conf

[optional] then type (as root) for you dont need to reboot:

ifconfig eth0 <your IP> netmask 255.255.255.0 up
route add default gw <IP of your router>

[zarkann]

to play diverse media formats I would suggest to use VLC and MPLAYER (installation via yum).


yes, i'm using vlc since a long time and never got any problem to read videos..


As with the real player, I down loaded it directly from their website and after installation.. the application won't launch..

when you start the application it just don't do anything at all ? you have a windows that appear and disapear right away ?

usually when application is not starting , it might be because you choosed a package for another distrib than Fedora 6 or it might be just because you are missing some needed application or drivers.. usually "package manager" will tell you if you miss something that is needed to succede the installation..

regards

[jedcino]

when you start the application it just don't do anything at all ? you have a windows that appear and disapear right away ?

usually when application is not starting , it might be because you choosed a package for another distrib than Fedora 6 or it might be just because you are missing some needed application or drivers.. usually "package manager" will tell you if you miss something that is needed to succede the installation..

regards

yes, it doesn't do anything whenever I tried launching it. Is there a way of installing applications via gui?

[igknighted]

yes, it doesn't do anything whenever I tried launching it. Is there a way of installing applications via gui?

Yes, under the applications menu there is a choice "Add/Remove Programs". The easiest/quickest way to install stuff though is to type yum search <what you are looking for> to find apps and yum install <package name> to install as root on the CLI. Be aware that you need to add a 3'rd party repo like Livna (download the appropriate file for Fedora Core 6 from here http://rpm.livna.org and save it, then double click to install and enable the repo) in order to get stuff like mp3 support. Now via add/remove or yum you can install all the media/non-free stuff rather than hunting around.

[zarkann]

yes i'm using KDE (and you ?) and if you go to add/remove programs from the menu you will see everything that is installed and even what can be install. imo, via command line it's fastest and the easiest way to do it... Yum is so easy.. if you don't like it, you can try to install apt-get but the way to go is via yum.

better fix the problem .. like igknighted said, try to add livna in your repo file and type the command again.