some help for a beginner??

[redpotato]

I am trying to learn Linux these days and I installed Mint on my laptop.
The problem is when I install rpm file which I downloaded from website, it shows me an error.

sudo rpm -i ICAClient.rpm (this is the command I ran)

rpm: please use alien to install rpm packages on Debian, if you are really sure use --force-debian switch. See README.Debian for more details.

What can I run the rpm file in Linux Mint?

I have not enough knowledge, but I am just wondering that it needs to run in different way to run rpm or tar.gz/tar file with different linux such as Fedora, OpenSUSE, Mint and so on...?

sorry, I have two questions...

 

[Noway2]

Linux Mint is a Debian distribution, which according to a distribution list is apparently based upon Ubuntu.

RPM's are Red Hat Packages. Debian Linux uses a different scheme of DEB packages. The tool Alien is used to convert between RPM and DEB, which isn't always straightforward.

You would be better off finding the correct package repository for your system and getting the files from there.

 

[redpotato]

so you mean I can convert rpm to deb? using alien?

one more thing... sorry...
what linux would be good for beginner to learn??? any recommand?

-the reason i installed mint, i only could boot the image using usb key others was giving me an error like booting..

 

[kjv1611]

rpm: please use alien to install rpm packages on Debian,

The M.I.B. will be by to see you shortly.

They should be knocking at your door any minute now.

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

As to newbie Linux, Ubuntu seems to fit the bill really well. And actually Mint is pretty similar, I believe. Anyway, Ubuntu is easy to use compared to many. Another one that is good from a hardware perspective, I think, is Mandriva Linux. They have free and paid versions. I've used the free one.

Ubuntu possibly has the best user support of any Linux Distro out there right now, as far as "users helping users" kind of thing.

 

[Noway2]

Yes, you can use alien to convert between RPM and DEB. It isn't always straightforward, though.

I second kjv1611's suggestions regarding which distributions are best. Ubuntu is easy to use because of both its package and user support. Being easy to use makes it friendly towards the inexperienced AND easier to do power server type tasks.

 

[DonQuichote]

What is meant is that you'd better download a ".deb" instead of an RPM from the website. You could try to translate the existing, but you have no guarantee that it will work. You may want to download and compile the source code instead. Note that that is not necessarily straightforward either, but has a higher chance of succeeding.

+++ Despite being wrong in every important aspect, that is a very good analogy +++
Hex (in Darwin's Watch)

 

[pentode]

Package management is a key feature of all distributions. If you are just starting out, you'd be well off to use the standard packages provided with your distribution and install using the intended software.

I know nothing about Mint, but the Debian apt package management system is one of the outstanding features of that distribution.

 

[geirendre]

Theres not one "better" Linux distro for beginners better than the other.
Theyr more or less the same,
so Mint is as good choice as any other.
Mint is based on Ubuntu, so most of the Ubuntu documentation apply:

https://help.ubuntu.com/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community

http://www.ubuntupocketguide.com/index_main.html

http://www.linux.org/lessons/

Mint has an integrated software installation system,
You should use this for adding applications etc.
Only if you dont find what you need there should you search the net.

This is one of the things that sets Linux appart from Windows.
See the Ubuntu documentation under "Innstalling software".

HTH

 

[stefanwagner]

Please choose a more precise subject the next time. 90% of the topics here are looking for 'some help', and have a look at the Posting Policies.

Thanks.

don't visit my homepage:

http://home.arcor.de/hirnstrom/minis/index.html

 

[LeeMason]

If you are looking to learn Linux for business applications I would personally install Centos. This is because it is based on all of the same packages as Redhat Enterprise Linux which is most commonly used in larger businesses. Also Centos Linux runs a huge proportion of the World's web servers.

If it's for personal use it's up to you.

I personally used Mandriva.


Lee Mason
Optimal Projects Ltd

http://www.opl.co.uk

http://www.backupsanywhere.com