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There are two types of bin files, self extracting archives and programs you run as they are, I'll mention both...
Steps
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1If the bin file is an installer/self-extracting archive, first download the thing and keep it somewhere safe just to avoid having to download it again.
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2Enter the terminal.Advertisement
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3Enter Root mode, like so : su - (the hyphen is required) and provide the root password.
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4If needed copy the bin file to its final output folder - packages like the Java Runtime Environment require this. Read the online instructions first...
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5Change directories (folders) to the one containing the bin file, like so : cd /topmost/folder, for example cd /usr/share
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6Give the bin file execute permissions: chmod +x thefile.bin
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7Execute it: ./thefile.bin - the dot-slash has to be there
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8If the bin file is the program itself, chances are the file is compressed, untar/unzip in the destination folder, Firefox comes like that.
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9Copy the archive and unpack it in the output folder, that should produce a folder.
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10Enter the folder, locate the program - it is a bin file, give it execute permissions if need be (see step 6).
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11Make a starter for convenience, right-click on the desktop, select the option you need and follow the lead - an icon should appear.Advertisement
Warnings
- Be careful where you put things - an unzip could overwrite stuff you needThanks!
- If the program needs to be run system-wide, put it in a central spot , /usr/share is a good candidateThanks!
- If you're a system-admin, avoid that the users do this...it'll mess up the systemThanks!
- Use this as a last resort, try to stick to the repository of your distribution of linux if at all possible.Thanks!
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