a utility to archive files into a sequential stream, then commonly placed into one file on disk (previously tapes, hence the name, Tape ARchive)

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41
votes
9answers
318k views

How to install a .tar.gz (or .tar.bz2) file?

I have downloaded tar.gz files. But I don't know how to install it. How do I install this kind of file?
2
votes
4answers
93 views

Which kind of installation files should you prefer - .deb or tarball files? And why?

I have just starting Ubuntu as my primary OS and everytime I have to install something I generally try to find .deb files as that seems convenient, but someone on another forum told me I should always ...
3
votes
2answers
5k views

sudo tar cvpzf exiting with failure due to previous error

I looked at the other question addressing this issue but I think I might have a different setup. I too am trying to backup my Ubuntu machine, but here is the difference. I used Wubi to install Ubuntu ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views

How do I extract a specific file from a tar archive?

Hi is possible to restore a single file from the .tar backup ? I dont want to restore total backup . i just want to restore one single file from the backup .
3
votes
3answers
832 views

Installing software without Ubuntu Software Center

I have a file downloaded from the Internet. To be specific I downloaded Code::Blocks from its official site. The file name is codeblocks.tar.bz2. If I don't have Internet connection and also ...
3
votes
1answer
5k views

How to install a tar.bz2 package

How can I install a tarbz2 package. Example: I have downloaded firefox 8 tar.bz2 . I want to know a general method for installation of tar.bz2 package.
2
votes
1answer
6k views

tar Exiting with failure status due to previous errors

I am trying to backup my Ubuntu workstation by the help of this guide and are running into trouble as the tar command outputs Exiting with failure status due to previous errors. Here's what I ...
1
vote
3answers
285 views

How do I extract a tarball, skipping some of the leading directories?

I am archiving a folder using following command: tar jcf "home/username/forum/forum.tar.bz2" /var/www/forum/ Then I am extracting using : tar jxf forum.tar.bz2 ./ It extracts correctly, but ...