how to Compile ruby on Suse 10.2 with LAMPP?

OK, I managed to install Linux XAMPP on a SUSE 10.2 Enterprise server box. I have both Ruby 1.8.5 & rubygems-0.9.4.tgz I extracted them to / opt (I didn't know where to put it!) using:

tar xvfz <filename> -C /opt

was this the right approach? I am setting this box up for a colleague and am looking for the correct way to compile Ruby.

Would someone help a rusty Unix user?

Thanxs in Advance...