8< snip

> > I can't use the Suse RPM package, as I want the functionality of FOX and
> > fxruby, and they aren't on the distro.  So I installed Ruby, FOX, and fxruby
> > from the source tars.  After several problems with the install process
> > (libraries didn't seem to go where Ruby assumes them to be), by adding links
> > and setting environment variables I have managed to get these working; I can
> > run trivial programs, and I get the GUI results expected.
> 

8< really big snip

This may end up going off a tangent, but perhaps one solution could be
to install apt-get (afaik there is a RedHat installer for it, should
work for Suse as well), and then get all the packages via that tool...