Thanks for your reponses cuddles and crashed, so you know i am complletely new this linux game and already i am missing the install wizards from the windows world. Firefox is the only program so far i have come across that installed itself in a simple fashion and in a similar way to what i am used to.

To answer cuddles query, in windows if you right click a file or program you can click " create shortcut" , this appears on the desktop as an icon. As far as running from a terminal screen, this does not mean a lot to me although i am wiilling to learn.

Similar response to crashed again, i will have a go at your suggestions (tried menu update, no go), although it all looks a bit over my head at this stage, not entirely happy about having to go through all this just to get an icon, most programmes i ever installed can't wait to clutter up the desktop.

Have also downloaded "thunderbird" and "digikam" and cannot install these, this is only down to my ignorance re linux, be prepared for more pitifull cries for help!!!!!