I'm trying to install Pinta version 1.6 by converting a tar.gz file to a .deb file using alien. However, even though the installation says it was successful, I can't find the software in my applications or run it. I found the tar.gz file in the releases section on GitHub, but I'm not sure how to properly set it up. What should I do?
5 Answers
You’re correct that the file you downloaded is source code. To get it working, you'll need to compile it first. I’d recommend checking the README on their GitHub page for detailed build instructions: [Building on Linux](https://github.com/PintaProject/Pinta?tab=readme-ov-file#building-on-linux).
A tar.gz file is a compressed archive that can contain various types of files. You can’t just install or convert any random tar.gz file without checking its contents. The one you've linked actually says it's the source code, which means you'll need to compile it before it can run on your system. So keep an eye out for the included files and the instructions on how to build it!
Have you considered using the Flatpak version instead? Pinta is available as a Flatpak and it’s much easier to install. You can search for it with `flatpak search Pinta` and install directly if you have Flatpak set up. This way, you won’t have to deal with the tar.gz at all!
Just to clarify, tar files are similar to zip files in that they’re just archives. The content is what really matters, so make sure you understand what’s inside that tar.gz before proceeding!
Honestly, if you're looking at that old version, there are newer ones out there that might be more stable and have better features! Might be worth checking out their latest releases.
For sure! Compiling may seem tricky if you're not used to it, but follow those instructions step by step, and you should be good to go.