lilsim89
May 21st, 2010, 02:43 AM
This is the method I used to install the ALEKS plug-in for the educational site ALEKS.com. As Ubuntu users should know by now, Linux isn't supported officially. Since the plug-in is pure Java, though, it is by nature cross-platform.
First, I'd like to point out that I could not install the plug-in successfully using the default Java package on Ubuntu 10.04, so we'll have to remove that using the Synaptic Package Manager:
1.) Open the Synaptic Package Manager and remove the package "OpenJDK".
Now, travel over to http://www.java.com and download the latest Java Runtime Environment (note, do not download the RPM file, use the BIN). Now install the package using the Terminal (found under Applications >> Accessories)
2.) Make a new Java directory /usr/java by typing in "sudo mkdir /usr/java"
3.) Change to that directory by typing in "cd /usr/java"
4.) Make sure the Java installer is executable by right-clicking it under the File Manager and clicking on "Properties", then "Permissions". Now check "Allow Executing as Program."
5.) In the terminal, execute the program (while still under the /usr/java directory): "sudo /home/<your username>/Downloads/<java installer>.bin".
Now that Java is installed, Ubuntu needs to know how to access it:
6.) Under the terminal, type "PATH=$PATH:<your new Java path>". I reccommend finding the path under the file browser and copying and pasting it. It should be located at "/usr/java/<java version>/bin". Don't forget the "/bin" at the end!
The following will allow Firefox access to the Java plug-in (most browsers obtain their plug-ins from the same directory, so this should work across all browsers):
6.) Change to the mozilla plug-in directory: "cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins"
For 32-bit Java:
7.) sudo ln -s /usr/java/<java version>/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so
For 64-bit Java:
7.) sudo ln -s /usr/java/<java version>/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so
Now that Java is installed and configured, let's go to ALEKS.com and get the plug-in to install.
8.) Download the JAR file from http://www.aleks.com/downloads and save it where you can find it.
9.) In the terminal, use "sudo nautilus" to open the file browser with administrator permissions. Now find the ALEKS plug-in you downloaded and right-click to copy it. Now go to the Java plug-in directory: "/usr/java/<java version>/lib/ext" and paste it.
10.) Restart your browser and the ALEKS website should work without any problems.
I hope this guide helped you, but please don't hesitate to post any comments, questions, or corrections.
First, I'd like to point out that I could not install the plug-in successfully using the default Java package on Ubuntu 10.04, so we'll have to remove that using the Synaptic Package Manager:
1.) Open the Synaptic Package Manager and remove the package "OpenJDK".
Now, travel over to http://www.java.com and download the latest Java Runtime Environment (note, do not download the RPM file, use the BIN). Now install the package using the Terminal (found under Applications >> Accessories)
2.) Make a new Java directory /usr/java by typing in "sudo mkdir /usr/java"
3.) Change to that directory by typing in "cd /usr/java"
4.) Make sure the Java installer is executable by right-clicking it under the File Manager and clicking on "Properties", then "Permissions". Now check "Allow Executing as Program."
5.) In the terminal, execute the program (while still under the /usr/java directory): "sudo /home/<your username>/Downloads/<java installer>.bin".
Now that Java is installed, Ubuntu needs to know how to access it:
6.) Under the terminal, type "PATH=$PATH:<your new Java path>". I reccommend finding the path under the file browser and copying and pasting it. It should be located at "/usr/java/<java version>/bin". Don't forget the "/bin" at the end!
The following will allow Firefox access to the Java plug-in (most browsers obtain their plug-ins from the same directory, so this should work across all browsers):
6.) Change to the mozilla plug-in directory: "cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins"
For 32-bit Java:
7.) sudo ln -s /usr/java/<java version>/plugin/i386/ns7/libjavaplugin_oji.so
For 64-bit Java:
7.) sudo ln -s /usr/java/<java version>/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so
Now that Java is installed and configured, let's go to ALEKS.com and get the plug-in to install.
8.) Download the JAR file from http://www.aleks.com/downloads and save it where you can find it.
9.) In the terminal, use "sudo nautilus" to open the file browser with administrator permissions. Now find the ALEKS plug-in you downloaded and right-click to copy it. Now go to the Java plug-in directory: "/usr/java/<java version>/lib/ext" and paste it.
10.) Restart your browser and the ALEKS website should work without any problems.
I hope this guide helped you, but please don't hesitate to post any comments, questions, or corrections.