Question about using Fedora...

Mr Benevolent

I just installed Fedora, got a few things installed but now I'm stumped. I've downloaded Powder Toy (a single .bin file) and haven't a clue how to run it. This is why I'm starting to hate Linux - everything is made as difficult as possible compared to Windows. Do they do this just to out-nerd Microsoft or is there a genuine reason for such obscurity?

Kidchameleon

Fedora is a nice OS, stick with it, it will reward you soon enough. You have to understand, if you were using Linux for all your life, you would find windows difficult to use aswell...

Mr Benevolent

Kidchameleon wrote: »

Fedora is a nice OS, stick with it, it will reward you soon enough. You have to understand, if you were using Linux for all your life, you would find windows difficult to use aswell...

Yes, but is it possible to run a single .bin file (there's no installation) without a crapload of command line silliness?

GreenWolfe

Confab wrote: »

I just installed Fedora, got a few things installed but now I'm stumped. I've downloaded Powder Toy (a single .bin file) and haven't a clue how to run it. This is why I'm starting to hate Linux - everything is made as difficult as possible compared to Windows. Do they do this just to out-nerd Microsoft or is there a genuine reason for such obscurity?

Right click the file, choose "Properties" and look for an option to make the file executable, it isn't enabled by default. I don't run Fedora so I can't provide specifics. Alternatively, make the program runnable by going to a terminal and typing

chmod 755 program.bin

Most often, Linux programs are downloaded and installed via repositories. If programs aren't in a repository, it means that the newest version isn't there or it's proprietary.

Torqay

How to install .bin files in Fedora.

Of course, you'll have to replace GoogleEarthLinux.bin accordingly.

yoyo

Moved to Linux

Scruffles

Confab wrote: »

I just installed Fedora, got a few things installed but now I'm stumped. I've downloaded Powder Toy (a single .bin file) and haven't a clue how to run it. This is why I'm starting to hate Linux - everything is made as difficult as possible compared to Windows. Do they do this just to out-nerd Microsoft or is there a genuine reason for such obscurity?

windows is a class of its own-fedora and linux in general is a different way of computing,its the same reason why hardened linux users often find windows faulty,people are used to using things in a particular way and need to relearn a different method for each OS form,whether we be talking about linux,*BSD,OSX or windows.

but fedora isnt a difficult distro to use,its one of the clearest linux distros to understand and also easy to install,though it isnt quite as newbie friendly as mint,ubuntu,mandrake/mandriva and so on-woud personaly not install fedora on a linux newbies system,though some newbies do not mind the excess learning involved,so its a personal choice.
if are completely fed up of fedora,why not think about trying another linux instead,will probably find mint,ubuntu or mandrake/mandriva the easiest to get around,or why not try out one of the live linuxes like knoppix-which is aimed at being beginner friendly.

am also a fedora user,if are sticking with fedora woud recommend installing a program called yumex which extends the yum package manager [hence yum extender].
-it makes yum a far more user friendly package manager,as with the likes of synaptic and co; its great just thinking of a topic,eg- games,office,SNES,
window manager...etc and checking out whats available.

can read about yumex here- http://www.yum-extender.org/cms/
but to easily install,open a terminal,type:

su yum install yumex

the only bit of extra command line work needed is the su prompt for password.

Khannie

Confab wrote: »

I just installed Fedora, got a few things installed but now I'm stumped. I've downloaded Powder Toy (a single .bin file) and haven't a clue how to run it.

Honestly, that is because you need to read a bit more. This is a unix / Linux fundamental. A file usually has 3 properties: read, write and execute. You need to set execute on that file, then run it. That's all. It will ask you where you want to install etc. Bin files are usually run from the command line. If you want to use Linux day to day, the command line is unavoidable.

It's rare to install software in this way though. Usually you use a package manager. It finds, downloads and installs the application for you. I googled Powder Toy (typo?) and it's a game. There is a linux version, but for me it came in a zip file that just contained the application. Is that what you were after?

Confab wrote: »

This is why I'm starting to hate Linux - everything is made as difficult as possible compared to Windows.

In fact this is one of the beauties of linux. Anything that you want can be executable! For example, you can write a bunch of commands, stick it in a text file, then make it executable. I have one just like this on my desktop of my laptop which plays a random dora the explorer for my daughter for example.

Confab wrote: »

Do they do this just to out-nerd Microsoft or is there a genuine reason for such obscurity?

Linux is just different to windows. If you expect to use it on a day to day basis without doing some reading you're going to get really frustrated though. You *need* to do that reading IMO. Once you're over that initial reading / learning curve though it is a fantastic bit of kit.

Johnboy1951

If you want to use Linux day to day, the command line is unavoidable.

Not a statement I would agree with as a general rule.

For sure, learning a few basic commands will enhance the Linux experience (same does apply to Windows), but is not necessary, IMO, for the majority of Desktop Linux users.

The biggest hurdle seems to be expecting Linux to be another version of Windows and so expecting things to be done in the only way known to Win users - the 'Windows Way'!

In my (limited) experience those with no prior PC knowledge have little difficulty adapting to Desktop Linux ...... the only real problems I have encountered have been from Windows users who (for reasons of their own) refuse absolutely to accept Linux is not Windows and things are done differently.

In the last few years I have not 'over-encouraged' any Win user to change to Linux. I have supplied LiveCDs and encouraged them to have a 'play' ...... but left it to them to follow up if they are interested. Few did ..... and they were then prepared for a learning curve, so a successful change of OS was more likely.

On the other hand those without prior knowledge had no difficulties that one would not expect from trying a PC, with any OS, for the first time.

Almost all Desktop Linux distros will have, in their own repositories, sufficient applications to fulfil the needs of the 'normal' user. Thus a package manager would be used for installation of new apps and the command line should not be needed except in very exceptional circumstances.

Of course if more than just casual use of the PC is required, then the command line is a must.

It appears it is really down to the attitude of the user, whether or not they get to learn the 'Linux Way' or run screaming from it because it is not Windows.

syklops

Confab wrote: »

Yes, but is it possible to run a single .bin file (there's no installation) without a crapload of command line silliness?

chmod +x file.bin

./file.bin