YOU DO NOT NEED TO SPEAK GEEK
Konqueror, the web browser? really a FILE MANAGER, makes this very easy. Start->Internet->Konqueror.
Browse to where you downloaded the tar file.
Point at the file. Click (or double click) to open the file. Examine the contents.
Guys, stay away from the command line stuff. Tar files are Zip files with bad naming conventions.
The GUI handles it. Give people the simplest way to reach their goal.
Trust the applications that are in the distribution.
They can make Windows look like riding an old pig.
Diatribe aside, after you extract the files (using rightclick->Extract->ExtractHere) you will have a folder "install_flash_player_7_linux" that has a shell script "flashplayer-installer". rightclick->OpenWith->Other...
and type "sh" in the application dialog and click on the "Run inTerminal" and "Do not close when command exits" check boxes.
Then you will see something very much like this:
Copyright(C) 2002-2003 Macromedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Macromedia Flash Player 7 for Linux
Macromedia Flash Player 7 will be installed on this machine.
You are running the Macromedia Flash Player installer as a non-root user.
Macromedia Flash Player 7 will be installed in your home directory.
Support is available at http://www.macromedia.com/support/flashplayer/
To install Macromedia Flash Player 7 now, press ENTER.
To cancel the installation at any time, press Control-C.
Follow the prompts and you are on your way.