1. Unpack and uncompress the files:

        Uncompress the `filename.tar.gz` archive file that was downloaded to your computer, then unpack the file:

        `$ tar -xvf filename.tar.gz`

2. Start the installer:
        `$ ./install.sh`
	
3. Follow the prompts to install the software.
     
4.  When installation is complete, license the software.
    To activate node-locked licenses to a specific user and computer, 
    see [[Manage Licenses From The License Administrator Tool]] for steps.

5. From a terminal window, change directories to `$INSTALL_DIR/idlxx/bin`. 
   Enter a command at the shell prompt to start an application:

    `idl` -  Start command-line IDL.

    `idlde` -  Start the IDL Development Environment.

    `idlhelp` -  Start IDL Help.