How do I update flash?

[ghassan]

Hi everybody. Yes, I'm a new user. I have been using Mandriva and spent $60 for 2011 Powerpack. Can I tell you it really bites the big one. So I downloaded PCLinuxOS. WOW!!! What a system. Now that's what I'm talking about!. I cannot believe how fast this is. Especially on the Internet. Man, this thing left tread marks to my front door! I only have a 2GHZ processor and this will run circles around much more powerful Winblows PCs. I'm really impressed. However, I am use to an OS that uses RPMs so I'm very ignorant to PCLinuxOS. So I need help. I feel so stupid. Well here goes--My question is How do I update flash? Sorry I know I'm an idiot, but I just can't figure it out. So I need an "instruction kit". If anyone can help I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

[pupthai]

Have you updated the installation of PClinucOS after installing.  If so you have the latest flash - at least in Firefox it works that way for me and mine is working fine.  You should never have to install anything outside the repo.  If your on PClinuxOS your home  oh and welcome home BTW

[Archie]

However, I am use to an OS that uses RPMs so I'm very ignorant to PCLinuxOS.

Hmmm last time I looked we were still RPM-based so I think you'll feel pretty much at home here. Welcome to the community, ghassan.

First thing to do is update your install using our package manager, Synaptic. Click Reload > Mark All Updates and then Apply. Then ask your question again.

[Vorteggs]

Well here goes--My question is How do I update flash?

It goes through the regular Synaptic updates that you have to do from time to time.
Don't update it through FireFox.

Welcome to the forum.

[djohnston]

The package system for PCLinuxOS is Synaptic. It's already included. Don't be fooled by the name. This version of Synaptic processes rpms. All the packages in the PCLinuxOS repositories are rpms.

Look in the Software Center section of the menu. If there's an Update Package Sources List entry, run that first. It will poll all the repositories and find the fastest one in relation to where you are. Please heed the advice and do not use the ibiblio.org repository.

Next, start Synaptic Package Manager. The icon may be on your desktop or in a toolbar somewhere. It varies by what desktop you're using. You can easily find it in the Software Center section of the menu. After starting, click the big Reload button in the upper left corner. That will update the package list. Next, click the Mark All Upgrades button. Once they've been marked, click the Apply button. In the dialog window that comes up, press Apply again. Packages will be downloaded and installed, including any dependencies.

After doing that, you can use the large Search button to find what you're looking for. In this case, enter the term flash. I believe you're looking for the web browser package, which is flash-player-plugin. It was probably already installed and upgraded in the previous steps. However, if it's not installed, just left-click the box to the left of the package name and mark it for installation. Then click the big Apply button again. Click Apply, once more, in the dialog window that appears.

[ghassan]

You guys are great. Thanks a lot. But now I really feel stupid. See I tried to update flash by going to the site. I selected RPM, but I couldn't install it. That's why I didn't think PCLinuxOS was RPM based. Well look gang I will do this and if I have any probs, I'll be back. It does look pretty straight forward though.
Thanks again.

[Vorteggs]

Follow the directions given in previous posts, Hassan.

PCLOS is a rolling Linux distro. The best for noobs like me

[ghassan]

Hey gang,
Well it was slightly different but you got me in the right direction and I figured it out. I don't feel so stupid now. Man, I really like this OS. So much better than some I've tried. Oh, this forum is great too. I'm so happy!

[Vorteggs]

Ask every question you feel like asking.
There's no stupid question you know

[Neal ManBear]

Ask every question you feel like asking.
There's no stupid question you know

     
There is one stupid question. The one not asked.      

[Archie]

In this forum is a wealth of information. Users must also know how to search before asking to minimize repetitions. We have a good search function in the forum and users need to use it.

+1 Neal. The only stupid question is the one that's not asked.

[ghassan]

Hi everybody. Just wanted to say thanx again. I'm starting to learn more and more as I go. I'm really enjoying PCLinuxOS IT ROCKS! I will have another question later, but I will make a new topic for it. It has do do with compiling and installing, but that is a luxury that can wait a couple of days. Later Dudes!

[horusfalcon]

Hi everybody. Just wanted to say thanx again. I'm starting to learn more and more as I go. I'm really enjoying PCLinuxOS IT ROCKS! I will have another question later, but I will make a new topic for it. It has do do with compiling and installing, but that is a luxury that can wait a couple of days. Later Dudes!

Welcome to PCLinuxOS, man!  I second what Archie said about searching.  There's lots of stuff here specific to PCLinuxOS about problems from lots of nice folks, and a search can save you time.  Don't feel embarrassed at being new, and don't stop asking the questions you can't solve for yourself.  Eventually, with time, patience, and perseverance, you will find what you need.

Compiling and installing from source is an advanced topic, and something that most users of PCLinuxOS don't do - we are encouraged to stick to Synaptic for anything we might need.  This is a trade-off made to keep things simple for the majority.  Compiling and installing from source can be done, but it puts your PCLinuxOS installation "beyond the pale" so to speak.  Until you get your feet under you, best to stick to the repos.

A decent explanation of the compile/install process is contained in the O'Reilly book Running Linux, which you should probably add to your bookshelf or reader. Additional (free) resources at the Linux Documentation Project also might help shed some light for you.  Look especially at their guides & how-tos.  Pay particular attention to what is said about dependencies and about how to use make or pmake.

I had better shut up now, before this becomes a wall o' text. Again, welcome aboard.  Hang out here more often as you get opportunity!

Good Hunting,
D

[djohnston]

I will have another question later, but I will make a new topic for it. It has do do with compiling and installing, but that is a luxury that can wait a couple of days.

Welcome to the forum, ghassan. Glad you got everything sorted so far. Please make a note of what Archie said:

In this forum is a wealth of information. Users must also know how to search before asking to minimize repetitions. We have a good search function in the forum and users need to use it.

What he is referring to is doing a search from the main page of the forum. From that page, enter your search term in the Search box in the upper right corner of the page. For example, entering the search term compile gives me 24 pages of hits and compiling gives me 8 pages of hits.

I can see where you're going with this already. The short answer is if you want to experiment with compiling from source or installing anything from an outside source, do so on a testing installation, not your main installation. If you only have one PC, you can install VirtualBox and set up a VM for doing tests. Installing from outside sources, with or without previous experience, is almost surely guaranteed to bork your installation. Also, forum support is only offered for software installed from PCLinuxOS repositories, and according to recommended software installation methods. I'm not saying any of this to discourage you, but to save you some grief with the desktop or laptop you depend on day in and day out.

[Archie]

I'm not saying any of this to discourage you, but to save you some grief with the desktop or laptop you depend on day in and day out.

Wisdom at its finest ...

Do it at your own risk, but if things go wrong ... WE TOLD YOU SO!