How to install a .tar.gz program without using terminal?

[Coastie]

I downloaded supertuxkart-0.9-linux.tar.gz * into the download folder. I extracted it there and it works. How do I get the files where they belong so it shows up in the menu?

All the instructions I have found show using the terminal. There must be an easier way than what I have found.

* Synaptic does not have this new version

[avj]

I don't know of any way to do this without the terminal, but it is not that hard to do with the terminal if you follow the instructions.
Generally each tarball will come with installation and build instructions. A file named INSTALL or README should be in the folder you extracted to, open it in the text editor and follow the instructions.

more info at this link:

http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/install-tarballs/

You may need to install build-essential package before you can install the program.

[Coastie]

No Install only Readme:

"SuperTuxKart
version 0.9

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the linux static package of SuperTuxKart game. It contains binaries for
32-bit and 64-bit operating systems based on x86 architecture.

To run the game, you should execute run_game.sh script, which you can find in
main directory.

Package requirements:
- glibc >= 2.13
- gcc >= 4.7.2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Troubleshooting:

If your distribution for some reason doesn't contain libgcc_s.so.1 and
libstdc++.so.6 libraries (or contains it in older versions) they are available
in lib and lib-64 directories. You need just to find and rename it.

Please report issues to our bug-tracker:
https://github.com/supertuxkart/stk-code/issues


Package created by:
    Dawid Gan <[email protected]>"

I am hoping there is just a folder that I drop the Super Tux folder into that the menu will open.

[Coastie]

I tried instructions at http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2015...ntu-14-04/ with no success. I guess I just wait for this version to be in the PPA in Synaptic.

[valtam]

tar.gz's like this don't usually place entries into the Menu. They're just a bunch of binaries that exec when you click on one. I would be patient and wait for a .deb or PPA. Chasing the latest of things only causes a bunch of headaches

[valtam]

FYI, I did the following and it worked.

- Downloaded supertuxkart-0.9-linux.tar.xz to /home/jerry/Downloads
- Double clicked on the archive and extracted it to Downloads
- leafpad ~/Downloads/supertuxkart-0.9-linux/data/supertuxkart.desktop

my supertuxkart.desktop:

Code:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=SuperTuxKart
Icon=/home/jerry/Downloads/supertuxkart-0.9-linux/run_game.sh
GenericName=A kart racing game
GenericName[de]=Ein Kart-Rennspiel
GenericName[fr]=Un jeu de karting
GenericName[gl]=Xogo de carreiras con karts
GenericName[pl]=Wyścigi gokartów
GenericName[ro]=Un joc de curse cu carturi
Exec=/home/jerry/Downloads/supertuxkart-0.9-linux/run_game.sh
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=false
Type=Application
Categories=Game;ArcadeGame;

- mv ~/Downloads/supertuxkart-0.9-linux/data/supertuxkart.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/

It's in the Menu under Games.

Runs fine, no probs

[Coastie]

Thanks Jerry and avj. Finally got it fixed. Next time, I think I'll wait for Synaptic or GDebi or Lite Software installer. :