Abstract
We are often asked how to install free software from sources. Compiling software yourself is really easy because most of the steps to follow are the same no matter what the software to install is. The aim of this document is to guide the beginner step by step and explain to him the meaning of each move. We assume that the reader has a minimal knowledge of the UNIX system (ls or mkdir for instance).
This guide is only a guide, not a reference manual. That is why several links are given at the end to answer any remaining questions. This guide can probably be improved, so we appreciate receiving any remarks or corrections on its contents.