Xfree86 4.1.0 source packages, tgz, how to

[smp]

Er.. I just downloaded the source for Xfree86 4.1 so I can get x working on my machine, I can't even untar the .tgz files.
If someone can help me out with this, I'm lame. I'm using Debian (I know I know, Debian is not for beginners, but I'm a complicated person and I want to learn Debian).. thanks.

 

[ProviaFan]

Well, I believe the command is (without looking it up or trying it out):

tar -xvzf my_tarred_and_gzipped_file.tgz

HTH.

 

[smp]

Thanks.. that's kind of what I though, I'll give it a try... *sigh* reboot time (dual booting)..

 

[ProviaFan]

The last one I compiled was 4.0.3, and that was a while ago, so besides the fact that my memory of the event is sort of fuzzy, XF4.1 is probably a heck of a lot different, so sorry I can't help you more.

 

[DeeK]

Compiling XFree86 4.10 is not really any different from the 4.0x versions. I've done both.

There's a good guide to compiling XFree86 here at linuxfromscratch.org. I followed that guide and haven't had any problems. It also covers how to get truetype fonts to work, which will beautify your Linux environment nicely.

 

[smp]

Thanks DeeK, what are Zlib libraries and why do I need them? This is more complicated than I thought.. :{

 

[MGMorden]

Just a note for some who might confused on getting this to compile (confused me the first time I did it); Xfree86 doens't use the standard ./configure, make, make install that most programs do; instead you must type:

make World
make install

It's different but just do this instead and all is good.

 

[smp]

*sigh*
Anyone else find that learning linux is super frustrating?

Okay, I might be jumping the gun here, because I haven't even gotten X server working, but after I install this (assuming that I'm successfull), how do I get enlightenment working? Is it as hard to configure/install as Xfree86? Maybe it's just hard for me cause I'm such a lamer newbie.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< *sigh*
Anyone else find that learning linux is super frustrating?

Okay, I might be jumping the gun here, because I haven't even gotten X server working, but after I install this (assuming that I'm successfull), how do I get enlightenment working? Is it as hard to configure/install as Xfree86? Maybe it's just hard for me cause I'm such a lamer newbie. >>



I found linux frustrating to learn (still do). But I found my niche and I stuck with it and its all good now. NOW I find it frustrating to be forced to use a windows box. Keep at it. As long as you understand the UNIX philosophy (check out the UNIX link in my sig ), you will be fine.

Wait a bit for enlightenment. Lets get the rest of this stuff working first (plus I want to sell you on blackbox ).

 

[DeeK]

<< Thanks DeeK, what are Zlib libraries and why do I need them? This is more complicated than I thought.. :{ >>


Zlib is the standard compression/decompression library. I can't imagine it not being installed on your system. If it is installed, you should find files called libz.* (or maybe libzlib.*, can't remember) in one of /lib, /usr/lib (most likely) or /usr/local/lib. Some image format libraries like libpng depend on zlib.

Oh, and if you're replacing XFree 3.3.x with 4.1, then you should back up your old version. Just back up the /etc/X11 and /usr/X11R6 directories.

 

[MGMorden]

<<

<< *sigh*
Anyone else find that learning linux is super frustrating?

Okay, I might be jumping the gun here, because I haven't even gotten X server working, but after I install this (assuming that I'm successfull), how do I get enlightenment working? Is it as hard to configure/install as Xfree86? Maybe it's just hard for me cause I'm such a lamer newbie. >>



I found linux frustrating to learn (still do). But I found my niche and I stuck with it and its all good now. NOW I find it frustrating to be forced to use a windows box. Keep at it. As long as you understand the UNIX philosophy (check out the UNIX link in my sig ), you will be fine.

Wait a bit for enlightenment. Lets get the rest of this stuff working first (plus I want to sell you on blackbox ). >>



Well, if after he gets X working he doesn't want to mess with anything else then there's always twm . . . j/k

 

[smp]

Thanks guys.. nice to see some hardcore linux geeks honouring my thread.
When I installed Debian on my box I did a pretty minimalistic install, I purposely left out any X components (optional ones anyways) so that I could do it myself. I wish I could get into my box, but it's booted into windows for now (while I'm away it cracks seti, need to learn how to run it in crontab on linux box).. so yeah, I'm not upgrading, I'll keep you guys posted tonight when I get home.
Thanks for all the help, keep it comin.