Linux - How to Install GNUCash 2.2.2 on Slackware 12.0 (x86)
Author: L.Savage


These instructions should work for said of the various packages and files, however may also work on slighly different versions and combinations.
Since I had to hunt down various files on the internet, I made that process a little easier for others by including links to the exact files I used for the complete installation. Simply click on the links to download the said file(s) as needed.

I owe credit for the instructions below by modifying Judah Milgram's instructions for installing GNUCash 1.8 on Slackware 10.1, so as you can see, a little tinkering will go a long way! :)

Step #1 - Install Slackware
First, you will need to do a [preferably clean] install Slackware 12.0. Please visit The Slackware Linux Project Website to download and get help for installing Slackware 12.0.

Step #2 - Install Gnome
The KDE GUI is installed on Slackware 12.0 by default, so that is why you will need to install the GNOME GUI; [sadly] GNUCash currently works exclusively for GNOME. There is a special project called Dropline GNOME which is a distribution of GNOME specially designed for Slackware. The latest version available at the time of writing these instructions was 2.20 although I imagine other versions will probably work just fine. The Dropline GNOME website will tell you which versions of GNOME work with specific versions of Slackware. Visit the Dropline GNOME website to get Dropline GNOME 2.20.

After downloading the dropline installer, run the following command at the Linux prompt:

installpkg dropline-installer-2.20-i686-1dl.tgz

Note: I followed the on-screen directions and did a full Dropline Gnome install.

Step #3 - Remove Guile 1.8.0
Run the following command at the Linux prompt:

removepkg guile-1.8.0-i486-1

Step #4 - Install Guile 1.6.8
The Official Guile Site has Guile package downloads or you may use the link below.

Download guile-1.6.8.tar.gz and decompress the .tar.gz archive into its own directory and run the following command at the Linux prompt:

cd /mnt/sourcecode/guile-1.6.8
./configure && make && make install

Step #5 - Install SLib 2d6
Run the following command at the Linux prompt:

unzip slib2d6.zip

This will create a directory named slib. Then you should move this directory to /usr/local/share/guile/1.6 with the following command:

mv slib /usr/local/share/guile/1.6

Step #6 - Configure Guile
This had to be done after installing SLib [above]. You will need to run the following commands:

  • cd /usr/local/share/guile/1.6
  • chown -R root:root slib (to be on the safe side)
  • guile -l /usr/local/share/guile/1.6/slib/guile.init (running as root)

    • Now you'll be at a Guile prompt. Type the following commands:

  • (require 'new-catalog)
  • (exit)

    • Step #7 - Build and Install G-Wrap 1.3.4
    download g-wrap-1.3.4.tar.gz and decompress the .tar.gz archive into its own directory and run the following command:

    cd /mnt/sourcecode/g-wrap-1.3.4
    ./configure && make && make install

    Step #8 - Build and Install GOffice 0.4.3
    download goffice-0.4.3.tar.bz2 and decompress the .tar.bz2 archive into its own directory and run the following command:

    cd /mnt/sourcecode/goffice-0.4.3
    ./configure && make && make install

    Step #9 - Build and Install GNUCash 2.2.2
    download gnucash-2.2.2.tar.gz and decompress the .tar.gz archive into its own directory and run the following command:

    cd /mnt/sourcecode/gnucash-2.2.2
    ./configure && make && make install

    Step #10 - Change startx command to use GNOME instead of KDE
    Using your favorite Linux editor such as vi or emacs (I used pico below), you need to edit the xinitrc file located in your home directory using the command:

    pico ~/.xinitrc

    Then remove or comment out the startkde command with the pound (#) symbol and add exec gnome-session. This portion of the file will end up looking similar to the following:

    # Start the window manager:
    #startkde
    exec gnome-session

    Step #11 - Configure GNOME
    I don't believe this step to be mandatory, but in my case, my middle mouse button did not work with GNOME without going through this process. I then found on the internet that you should always run xorgsetup (or xorgcfg) after changing your X Window Manager. This goes through a video and mouse hardware auto-detection process which is painless and generally a good idea.

    xorgsetup

    Then, simply follow the on screen instructions.

    Step #12 - Start GNUCash
    Start GNOME using the following command:

    startx

    If all goes well, you'll have the GNOME GUI come up without any problems. If you start GNOME logged-in as root, you'll get an annoying message box telling you this fact during the GNOME boot-up process.

    Locate the Applications menu and find the Office submenu. From there you should see an entry for GNUCash Finance Management; click on it. On my installation, this entry surprisingly had no icon and I'm not sure why. From here on out, you should check out the official GNUCash Website for instructions and help.

    Please report comments or errors on this page using the Contact Form. Thank you!
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