Trouble installing a package

[bruegggw]

I have successfully installed XAMPP on both Mandriva Spring 2007 and Windows Vista. After installing on Vista, I set up a new folder and was able to install a PHP application with no trouble.

On my linux box I did not have the same success. I believe that I have a security problem that prevents me from running install scripts that set file permissions or create folders. I believe that it is because I set up XAMPP with my su per the installation instructions. What do I need to do to allow a linux user (my own) the ability to install new packages?