Linux Desktop installation
 

For my daily work, I use/need to following programs:
Of course there a many other programs, but most of them are installed using apt or by available as source code (make, checkinstall). This page explains only how to install basic programs (mail, web, compiler) needed for my Desktop in order to be able to work. The major problem with those programs are frequent updates. If someone nows a better way (automatic) to easily update new versions, let me now.

Other software that should be added when I have time: Windows network (samba-client , kdenetwork3-samba, LinNeighbourhood,  smb4k), remote access (vncviewer, rdesktop, kurd), database (tora), spam (spamassassin)


Java

Go to http://java.sun.com/ and download latest JVM/JDK (I prefer the linux self extracting file version).
// login as root
su root
// copy file to /usr
cp j2sdk...bin /usr
// make it executable
chmod +x j2sdk...bin
// execute it
./j2sdk...bin
// make a "java" link to the new version
ln -s j2sdk1.4.2_01 java
// remove file
rm j2sdk...bin

// test it. As your JAVA_HOME should still be /opt/java, you should see the new java version
java -version

// Configure WebStart (included since 1.4.2..)
// Configure your desktop to start .jnlp file with /usr/java/jre/javaws/javaws
// Test it with one of the Swing Sightings applications

Firebird (+flash, +java applets)

kmail comes with KDE, so no special installation issues. Use apt to stay up to date with latest KDE releases.

Download Firebird from http://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/
// login as root
su root
// copy file to /opt directory
copy MozillaFirebirdXXX.tar.gz /opt
// uncompress
tar -xzvf MozillaFirebird
// rename to actual version
rn MozillaFirebird MozillaFirebird-0.6.1
// create soft link 
ln MozillaFirebird-0.6.1 MozillaFirebird
// remove file
rm MozillaFirevirdXXX.tar.gz
On the user desktop, create application link to /opt/MozillaFirebird/MozillaFirebird

Flash installation
Go here and download flash plug in.
// uncompress
tar -xzvf installF_flash_player...
// go in new directory
cd install_flash_player
// login as root
su root
// start installer
./flashplayer_installer
// when asked for browser directory, choose /opt/MozillaFirebird
Java installation

See information at see http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/javalinux.html

Assuming java is installed in /usr/java, create a symbolic link in firebird plug in directory:
ln -s /usr/java/jre/plugin/i386/ns610-gcc32/libjavaplugin_oji.so /opt/MozillaFirebird/plugins/
!!! you must use ns610-gcc32 version if your browser is compiled with gcc3. If not, use ns610 version.

Konqueror and plugins
In order to have java and flash also in konqueror, start konqueror, go to configuration->plugins. Add /opt/MozillaFirebird as new plugin directory and rescan for plugins.


Thunderbird

Download thunderbird at http://www.mozilla.org/projects/thunderbird/
// copy to /opt
cp thunderbird... /opt
// uncompress
tar -xjvf thunderbird....tar.bz2
// move new directory to version directory
mv thunderbird thunderbirdVersion
// make accessible
chmod -R 755 thunderbird
// create link for thunderbird directory
ln -s thunderbirdVersion thunderbird
// remove file
rm thunderbird...tar.bz2
Create desktop link for user to /opt/thunderbird/thunderbird.


#
Eclipse

Download eclipse at http://www.eclipse.org/
Do the same as for thunderbird for eclipse.


OpenOffice

Download OpenOffice for your language at http://www.openoffice.org/
// uncompress
tar -xzf OO...
// go into install directory
cd OO.._install
// allow host interaction
xhost+
// start network setup
./setup -net
// follow install, choose a directory name containing version /opt/OpenOffice1.1.0 as directory
// remove installation directory
cd ..
rm -R OO.._install
// create OpenOffice link
cd /opt
ln -S OpenOffice.org1.1.0 OpenOffice.org

// as user, start 
/opt/OpenOffice.org/setup
Spamassassin


Download and install spamassassin from http://spamassassin.rediris.es/
Read this article: http://www.softwaredesign.co.uk/Information.SpamFilters.html

Windows Network


Install the following rpm's: samba-client, kdenetwork3-lan and LinNeighborhood.

// set suid bit to smbmnt and smbumount
chmod +s /usr/bin/smbmnt
chmod +s /usr/bin/smbumount

// Start LinNeighborhood, browse the network as user. You should see all other PC's
// Mount the network drives that you need


Questions

As all this is many work, I'm looking for easier installation procedures. If you now some, please help me.
(c) Jean-Marc Autexier