How to get realplayer and mplayer to properly install?

[gary <garys@mtaonline.net>]

Hello -  I recently installed Sarge and have been using synaptic to
install packages.
when I install realplayer, the icon appears in Applications> multimedia
but I'm unable to
get realplayer started. Nor will it start when files are directed to
use /user/bin/realplay.
mplayer never installs any startup icon, yet I downloaded the k-6
version which i believe
includes a gui. Never got mplayer running .

I have: a few years linux experience
            limited debian experience
            gnome desktop

What am I not doing?                gary