1) Go to www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex/ibm_and_mac_archives/LINUX

   Download the zip archive Perple_X_#.#.#_***.zip, where #.#.# is the version 
   number (e.g., 6.6.8) and *** indicates compiler, system and/or author information
   (see below). 

   Or follow the link indicated by Links_for_the_latest_LINUX_version_of_Perple_X.html

   The archives contain the Perple_X programs, extract these to a single directory. 

2) Extract the Perple_X data files in
 
   www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex/ibm_and_mac_archives/Perple_X_6.6.8_data_files.zip 

   to the same directory as in step 1. 

3) It may be necessary to convert the data files from Windows to UNIX format. Refer to 

   www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex/ibm_and_mac_archives/README_UNIX_USERS.txt

   for file conversion instructions.  

4) To use MATLAB to process Perple_X output download

   www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex/ibm_and_mac_archives/Perple_X_6.6.7_MatLab_scripts.zip

5) Run Perple_X from a UNIX shell (aka terminal window) see

   www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex/ibm_and_mac_archives/README_UNIX_USERS.txt

   for further instructions. Running Perple_X by clicking on the program icon causes
   all sorts confusion, see www.perplex.ethz.ch/faq/running_from_a_windows_console.txt
   for a discussion of the analogous problem on Windows operating systems.

6) If you have no idea how to run Perple_X and your interest is the calculation 
   a phase diagram section, or extracting physicochemical properties from such a 
   section, then following the worked problem at

   www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex_66_seismic_velocity.html

   is probably the fastest route to getting results. 

   For a broader introduction to Perple_X, the tutorial at

   serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/petrology/teaching_examples/44110.html

   may be helpful (this tutorial is slightly out-of-date so some lateral 
   thinking is necessary to follow it). 

   A complete list of Perple_X documentation, such as it is, is at:

   www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex_documentation.html 

7) LINUX archives may not be current. Check the update file

   www.perplex.ethz.ch/PerpleX_Updates.html

   to establish whether the archive contains programs with bugs that may have 
   consequences for you.


8) Dynamically linked versions require that the appropriate libraries are
   installed on your computer. Typically, versions compiled with gfortan
   are dynamically linked and require the gcc libraries. You can install these 
   libraries by installing gcc.

   The LINUX versions are provide courtesy of third parties. As of July 19, 2011
   the third party authors/versions are:

   EM - Evangelos Moulas, ETH - a 64 bit, gfortan compiler, version, that (probably)
        requires the gcc libraries.

   OL - Ondrej Lexa, Prague - 64 and 32 bit, gfortan compiler, versions accessible
        via the html link at www.perplex.ethz.ch/perplex/ibm_and_mac_archives/LINUX. 
        These versions are probably statically linked, i.e., stand-alone versions. 

   The compiler options used to generate these versions can have major performance
   consequences. If you are concerned about performance it is best to compile your 
   own version to exploit your specific OS and hardware configuration. Aggressive 
   optimization can lead to erratic behavior; thus it is wise to verify optimized 
   code by comparison with unoptimized benchmark calculations.