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File type is usually .tar or .tar.bz2 or (occasionally) .zip. I have never seen a .rar file, since we cannot create rar file in Linux. You right click on that file, and decompress it. The command varies from environment to environment, but it is usually like "Decompress it here" or something like that. Do that. You will get a new directory with the name programname-version. Now, open the terminal, cd to the new directory. In the directory, there will usually be a README file. You will definitely want to read that file. Sometimes, there is a INSTALL file instructing how to install. Read them.

Here is the general strategy: you first type "./configure" (enter). The shell code will try to guess your machine architecture and prepare the source code. You may want to use "./configure -help" to figure out some arguments (like changing where you want to install etc.). Once this completes successfully, type "make". The system will start compile the source code. Cross your fingers and pray no errors occur. Once it finishes, you will want to use root power. In Ubuntu, it would be "sudo make install". In Fedora, you will want to login as root (su, then root password) then use "make install". The script will install your software. It is ready to use!

If any step above fails, you would first want to re-read README and INSTALL files, if they exist. You may have a doc directory, which you should also read. If they don't help out, google the error. If no thing is found, go to the forum and ask. If no one know, delete the directory and forget about the program. Or, you may want to learn more about Linux, and try again :).

By now, I hope you have an image how to install program on Linux. For most part, it is very easy. You search for a program in a pre-defined database (which is most likely to have what you want), tick/click install, and you are done! If not, I recommend play with your system and try to compile something. It will be fun! Happy hacking!

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