[ubuntu-uk] Curve-fitting program or package (a gnuplot example)

[Robert McWilliam]

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:55:28 +0000
"Robin Menneer" <robinmenneer at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 2/25/07, Tony Arnold <tony.arnold at manchester.ac.uk> wrote:
> > Use Synaptic! Search for gnuplot and then install it. Presumably,
> > you've used Synaptic before to install stuff?
> 
> This is the first time I've tried to use  Synaptic Search and have
> got as far as being asked for a package but failed to get the files
> listed by you. I've got the .tar file into desktop but failed to link
> it up with Synaptic. It's no good people raving about weaning
> ordinary folk out of windows if they are subsequently let loose in
> such unfriendly territory.
> 

A .tar sounds like the source for gnuplot which is not the easiest way
to install software in ubuntu. 

An overview of the package management system is available at:
https://help.ubuntu.com/6.10/ubuntu/desktopguide/C/add-applications.html

The gnuplot packages are in universe (community supported packages)
rather than main, which is not enabled by default, the instructions for
enabling this are at:
https://help.ubuntu.com/6.10/ubuntu/desktopguide/C/extra-repositories.html#id2580924

[snip]
> 
> Having used DOS for many years, I am not afraid of the concept of
> using terminal, but just of the brute force that i may mistakedly
> misdirect in my ignorance.   The warning in Synaptic *You can render
> your system unusable* frightens the life out of me.  I'd rather
> abandon Ubuntu than foul up my machine.  Thanks, Robin
> 

That warning is about messing up your ubuntu install, it is very
unlikely that anything you do in software could cause actual do damage
to the hardware.

________________________________________________________
Robert McWilliam     rmcw at allmail.net    www.ormiret.com

Klingon function calls do not have 'parameters' -- they have
'arguments'
	-- and they ALWAYS WIN THEM.