Howto: Install Real Player 11 Gold on Mandriva 2008.1

If you are a GNU/Linux lover especially Mandriva, you should have met problem whenever you want to play real media files. These files have extension *.rm or *.rmvb. Why this is happened? The answer is simple, just because the codec for this kind of file is copy righted. That's why many GNU/Linux distro never include the codec needed to play this kind of file (some countries regard this as a law break). Fortunately, real.com also provide a real player GNU/Linux platform. This article will guide you how to install Real Player 11 Gold on Mandriva 2008.1. Keep reading.

First thing first, download the player here. You may use any download manager to speed up your download, one thing to remember is where did you save this file (you'll need this later). After downloading the player, open a terminal from Applications -> Tools -> Terminal menu, then navigate to the directory where you save the player installer (in this example Desktop directory inside my home directory).

$ cd Desktop

Now you have to make the installer executable by giving it an execute permission. Just invoke this command from terminal

$ chmod +x RealPlayer11GOLD.bin

OK, we are ready to start the installation, but remember that you need a root privilege to do this. If you don't , you may ask your administrator to give you an access by using sudo command. To start the installation, run this command on your terminal

$ suPassword:

Enter the root password at this prompt, if you enter the correct password you'll see that the $ now become #, means you're a root (God of GNU/Linux system). Start the installation

# ./RealPlayer11GOLD.bin

This command will bring you a welcome dialog, just press Enter to continue to the next step. You'll be asked some question in this step.
The first question is about the destination directory for installation, hit Enter if you agree with the default directory that is /opt/real/RealPlayer.
Next step will ask for your confirmation about your choice in the previous step. Just hit enter to continue or write P then hit enter to go back to the previous step.
You have to wait the installation finish, if you see an error message at this step just ignore it.

Having finish the installation, you may run your real player from Applications->Sound & Video->RealPlayer 11 menu. The first time you run this application you need to set some configuration.
Nothing special in this dialog, just press Next button to continue to the next dialog.
This is the Release Notes for Linux, read this carefully then press Next button to continue.
You have to agree this License Agreement by ticking the Accept selection button, then simply press Next button to continue.
This application need to test you Internet connection, if you have an Internet connection press Next button otherwise press Skip button. In this case I choose to press Next button.
Click Perform Test to test your internet connection.
Here is the result, I have an available bandwidth in the DSL/Cable (256 Kbps) range. That's why I have an option to update my RealPlayer by clicking Update button.
That's all, the intallation is now complete. Click Finish button to open your newly installed RealPlayer 11.
Happy watching...