tar files

im tryin to download compiz but i need to extract a tar file what program do i need to be able to extract it

what version of ubuntu are you running? you probably already ahve compiz installed.

If you double click on the file, ubuntu should open Archive Manager to help you extract the file. If not just right-click on the file and use "open with Archive Manager"

You shouldn't try to install programs from tar archives as a beginner as that is a bit more of an advanced topic.

You should use the Synaptic Package Manager. To get to it:

System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager

What you want to install is:

compizconfig-settings-manager

Either install it via searching the Synaptic Package Manager or copy and paste the following in to the terminal:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager