[SOLVED]Model Railroader Noob to Linux

[TKDave]

Recent Linux Mint Cinnamon convert (yesterday) looking to install XTRACKCAD. I used to use it with Windows. I tried a few times with no success. I read through this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=90&t=97158

I looked in Software Manager ... not there. Got to section 2 and I found it in Lauchpad, but with this message: Xtrkcad does not have any download files registered with Launchpad. The entire rest of the post kind of went right over my head, so I can use a little guidance.

I'm hoping that someone could tell me if it's possible to install XTRACKCAD. Here's the link to their page: http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/CurrentRelease

And if so, where do I start?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[Flemur]

I would download
http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/CurrentRelease
"self-extracting install script (32 Bit)"
or, more likely,
"self-extracting install script (64 Bit)"
and then run it - first as NOT root/sudo:

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sh xtrkcad-setup-5.1.1-1.x86_64.sh

[TKDave]

I have no idea at all what you're telling me to do, nor how to do it.

[Flemur]

I have no idea at all what you're telling me to do, nor how to do it.

Oh.
- Download the 32 or 64 bit .sh file that matches your 32 or 64 bit system.
- It should end up in $HOME/Downloads (or "Download"?)
- Open a terminal, type

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cd Downloads
sh xtrkcad-setup-5.1.1-1.x86_64.sh

(Or

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sh xtr*.sh

the "*" expands to files that are present.

[TKDave]

I shall attempt that in the morning. Thanks!

[TKDave]

OK, that worked to unpack the files into the download directory in it's own folder, but I got an error when trying to open the software. I did find a readme file and it says to install like this:

./xtrkcad-setup-4.4.0beta1.x86_64.sh --prefix=/usr/local --exclude-subdir

This will install the executable in /usr/local/bin. A directory named
xtrkcad will be created in /usr/local/share and all files will be
unpacked into it.

Didn't work, so I tried:

sh xtr*.sh --prefix=/usr/local --exclude-subdir

This attempted to work, but I got a pile of errors, mostly saying: Cannot mkdir: Permission denied.

[TKDave]

My first Linux software installation! I ended up figuring out how to use Package Manager. Now, let's see if the software works!

[TKDave]

XTRACKCAD works!

[lsemmens]

Well done! Don't you love it when a plan comes together!:D Enjoy your new operating system and your hobby!

[Flemur]

My first Linux software installation! I ended up figuring out how to use Package Manager. Now, let's see if the software works!

Yup, it's in the repositories! I should've suggested that you check there before messing with that install script.

Edit:

Cannot mkdir: Permission denied.

Just FYI, that was somewhat expected; you need to be root/sudo to install to the OS, but some programs can and do install to a users directory.

[TKDave]

Well done! Don't you love it when a plan comes together!:D Enjoy your new operating system and your hobby!

Thanks! This all stems from a Windows 10 upgrade that failed and rendered my laptop useless and Dell offered no help without paying them for something that Microsoft caused. Y'all probably know this story well as I'm sure it's played out thousands of times for others.

[TKDave]

My first Linux software installation! I ended up figuring out how to use Package Manager. Now, let's see if the software works!

Yup, it's in the repositories! I should've suggested that you check there before messing with that install script.

Edit:

Cannot mkdir: Permission denied.

Just FYI, that was somewhat expected; you need to be root/sudo to install to the OS, but some programs can and do install to a users directory.

What's a repository?

I downloaded the version of XTRACKCAD that you recommended and located with Package Manager, and BOOM! Up and running!

I'm treating my old lappy to a new battery and this will be my on-the-go machine.

Thanks again y'all!

[lsemmens]

The repository is something you stick up your.........oops, that's a suppository. Seriously, the repositories are where Synaptic and other package managers obtain their software, like a library.

[TKDave]

Where is this repository?

[lsemmens]

When you open "Software Manager" or Synaptic you automatically connect to the official repositories (sort of like the app store in Android) you can also connect to other "non canonical" (i.e. not official - like shareware sites of old) repositories, too. Basically, they are just places where you get your applications from.

[jimallyn]

There's a good tutorial on installing software here:

viewtopic.php?f=90&t=97158

With a few exceptions, it is best to install from the standard Mint repositories you will find in Software Manager or Synaptic. (I always use Synaptic, but people tell me Software Manager is easier for newcomers to Linux. Mostly a matter of personal preference, both do the same thing.)

[Flemur]

I downloaded the version of XTRACKCAD that you recommended and located with Package Manager, and BOOM! Up and running!

That's great! It also might be a bit unusual for non-standard, non-repository software.

Here's a repository:
http://packages.linuxmint.com/
Click aruond on some stuff and you'll get into the package-name.deb files; those are the files software is installed from, like a windows .msi installer file (but not really, .deb is more like a .zip file with extra information).