I downloaded Thunderbird and I can't figure out how to install it. There isn't an installer - in fact, there don't seem to be any executables in the package at all.

The file I got is called "thunderbird-2.0.0.9.tar.gz". If this is the wrong file, tell me. I'll feel stupid, but that's better than having no email :D.

Needless to say, I'm pretty new to Linux. I've been using Ubuntu 7.10 for about three and a half hours now.

That is a compressed file sort of like a zip file. You'll have to use a utility to uncompress it to get to the files inside. I don't have direct experience with this type of file but there are free utility programs you can use.

I know how to unpack the files, I just don't know what to do with them.

It would be much easier to go in the Synaptic package manager application, do a search for Thunderbird & let it download/install by itself (it'll just ask for a password before it starts downloading).

Indeed. You should always use your OSs native package management features instead of generic tarballs, sources or installers.

Oh, that's handy. Thanks!