installing programs on ubuntu

[Elrond]

I installed ubuntu before my exams and couldnt install the files I downloaded - virtually every guide doesnt seem to make sense - I am quite good with Windows OS's but havent got a clue what to do on ubuntu. I have got round to trying ubuntu again and still cant do it.

The most important programs I want to install are realplayer (.bin) and graphics drivers (.run).

tar.gz and tar.bz seem to be very common so I could do with knowing how to use them.

Could write or post a link to a idiot proof guide to installing the file types I mentioned?

I offer rep bribes

[Simetrical]

To install programs on Ubuntu, you will usually want to use the Package Manager if possible (from the equivalent of the Start menu, go to Add/Remove Programs). If you can't do that, you may have to use other files, which work a little differently from on Windows. To address the file types you discuss:

• .bin just means "binary executable", like Windows .exe. Usually in Linux you don't add any particular extension for that. Make sure that the file is marked as executable. That should be along the lines of: right-click -> Properties, Permissions, Properties then Permissions, something like that -> set file as executable, allow file to be executed/run, something like that. (Sorry I can't provide more specific instructions.) Then just run it by double-clicking.
• .run is, I think, the same thing. Again, Linux doesn't allow just any file to be executed. It has to be specified as executable.
• .tar.gz, .tar.bz, .tar.bz2, .tgz, and related are all archive/compression formats. They amount to the same thing as .zip on Windows. Double-clicking should open them.