docs: update installation instructions for Ubuntu/Linux and macOS; add platform-specific build notes

Author: umerfarok

DEVELOPER.md

@@ -36,6 +36,50 @@ Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:
      - Windows 10 SDK
      - Python development support (optional)
 
+### Ubuntu/Linux Requirements
+
+#### 1. System Dependencies
+```bash
+# Install basic build dependencies
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install -y build-essential python3-dev python3-pip
+
+# Install Cairo and GTK3 for icon conversion
+sudo apt install -y libcairo2-dev libgirepository1.0-dev pkg-config
+
+# Install networking tools
+sudo apt install -y net-tools iptables tcpdump
+
+# Install NSIS (for creating installers on Linux)
+sudo apt install -y nsis
+```
+
+#### 2. Python Libraries
+```bash
+pip3 install cairosvg pillow pyinstaller
+```
+
+### macOS Requirements
+
+#### 1. System Dependencies
+```bash
+# Install Homebrew if not already installed
+/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
+
+# Install dependencies
+brew install cairo pkg-config
+brew install gtk+3
+brew install python3
+
+# Optional: Install NSIS (for cross-building Windows installers)
+brew install makensis
+```
+
+#### 2. Python Libraries
+```bash
+pip3 install cairosvg pillow pyinstaller
+```
+
 ### Python Dependencies
 
 1. Create and activate a virtual environment:
@@ -75,31 +119,57 @@ The build process will:
 4. Create an installer (on Windows, if NSIS is installed)
 
 Build outputs will be available in the `dist` directory:
-- `NetworkMonitor.exe`: Standalone executable
-- `NetworkMonitor_Setup_0.1.0.exe`: Windows installer (if NSIS was available)
+- Windows: `NetworkMonitor.exe` and `NetworkMonitor_Setup_0.1.0.exe`
+- Linux: `NetworkMonitor` executable
+- macOS: `NetworkMonitor` executable or `.app` bundle
+
+## Platform-Specific Build Notes
+
+### Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)
+Building on Linux creates a standalone executable that can be run on similar Linux distributions:
+```bash
+# Make the executable executable
+chmod +x dist/NetworkMonitor
+# Run the application
+sudo ./dist/NetworkMonitor
+```
+
+### macOS
+Building on macOS creates a standalone executable:
+```bash
+# Make the executable executable
+chmod +x dist/NetworkMonitor
+# Run the application
+sudo ./dist/NetworkMonitor
+```
+
+### Windows
+The Windows executable requires Administrator privileges to run properly:
+- Right-click on the executable
+- Select "Run as Administrator"
 
 ## Common Build Issues
 
 ### Icon Conversion Issues
 If you see "cairo library not found" errors:
-1. Install GTK3 runtime as described in prerequisites
-2. Add GTK3 bin directory to PATH
-3. Install Python packages: `pip install cairosvg Pillow`
-4. Restart your terminal/IDE
-5. Run build again
+1. Install Cairo and GTK3 as described in prerequisites for your platform
+2. Install Python packages: `pip install cairosvg Pillow`
+3. Restart your terminal/IDE
+4. Run build again
 
 ### NSIS Issues
 If installer creation fails:
 1. Ensure NSIS is installed and in PATH
-2. Install EnvVarUpdate plugin as described in prerequisites
+2. Install EnvVarUpdate plugin as described in prerequisites (Windows only)
 3. Check if the NSIS Include and Plugins directories contain the required files
-4. Run `makensis /VERSION` in terminal to verify NSIS is accessible
+4. Run `makensis -VERSION` in terminal to verify NSIS is accessible
 
 ### Missing DLL Errors
 If you see missing DLL errors when running the built executable:
-1. Install Visual C++ Redistributable 2015-2022
-2. Install GTK3 runtime if using icon conversion
-3. Ensure all dependencies are installed: `pip install -r requirements.txt`
+1. Windows: Install Visual C++ Redistributable 2015-2022
+2. Linux: Install required system libraries using apt
+3. macOS: Install required libraries using brew
+4. Ensure all dependencies are installed: `pip install -r requirements.txt`
 
 ## Development Guidelines
 
@@ -140,9 +210,9 @@ python build.py
 - Clear pip cache if needed: `python -m pip cache purge`
 
 ### Installation Issues
-- Run the installer as Administrator
-- Check Windows Event Viewer for installation errors
-- Look for error logs in `%TEMP%` directory
+- Run the installer as Administrator (Windows)
+- Run with sudo on Linux/macOS
+- Check system logs for installation errors
 
 ### Runtime Issues
 - Check logs in `networkmonitor.log`

README.md

@@ -10,18 +10,51 @@ A powerful network monitoring and control tool with ARP protection capabilities.
 - Control device bandwidth
 - RESTful API for integration
 
-## Quick Install (Windows)
+## Quick Install 
+
+### Windows
 1. Download the latest installer from Releases
 2. Run the installer as Administrator
 3. Launch Network Monitor from the Start Menu or Desktop shortcut
 
+### Ubuntu/Linux
+```bash
+# Install dependencies
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install -y python3-pip python3-dev libcairo2-dev net-tools iptables
+
+# Install Network Monitor
+pip3 install networkmonitor
+
+# Run with admin privileges
+sudo networkmonitor
+```
+
+### macOS
+```bash
+# Install Homebrew if needed
+/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
+
+# Install dependencies
+brew install cairo python3
+
+# Install Network Monitor
+pip3 install networkmonitor
+
+# Run with admin privileges
+sudo networkmonitor
+```
+
 ## Manual Installation
 If you prefer to install from source or need the latest development version:
 
 ### Prerequisites
 - Python 3.8 or higher
 - Administrator privileges (required for network monitoring)
-- Windows: Visual C++ Redistributable
+- Platform-specific dependencies:
+  - Windows: Visual C++ Redistributable
+  - Linux: net-tools, iptables
+  - macOS: cairo library
 - See [DEVELOPER.md](DEVELOPER.md) for complete build requirements
 
 ### Install from Source
@@ -32,20 +65,24 @@ cd networkmonitor
 
 # Create virtual environment
 python -m venv venv
-venv\Scripts\activate  # Windows
 source venv/bin/activate  # Linux/Mac
+venv\Scripts\activate     # Windows
 
 # Install dependencies
 pip install -r requirements.txt
 
-# Run the application
+# Run the application (with admin privileges)
+# Windows: Run as Administrator
 python -m networkmonitor
+
+# Linux/Mac:
+sudo python -m networkmonitor
 ```
 
 For detailed build instructions and development setup, see [DEVELOPER.md](DEVELOPER.md).
 
 ## Usage
-1. Start Network Monitor (requires Administrator privileges)
+1. Start Network Monitor (requires Administrator/root privileges)
 2. Access web interface at http://localhost:5000
 3. View connected devices and monitor network activity
 4. Use protection features as needed
@@ -66,6 +103,22 @@ curl -X POST http://localhost:5000/api/device/protect -d '{"ip":"192.168.1.100"}
 
 Full API documentation available at http://localhost:5000/api/docs when running.
 
+## Platform Support
+
+### Windows
+- Windows 10 or higher recommended
+- Requires Administrator privileges
+- Uses Npcap for packet capture
+
+### Linux
+- Ubuntu 20.04 or higher recommended
+- Debian, Fedora, and other major distributions supported
+- Requires root privileges
+
+### macOS
+- macOS 11 (Big Sur) or higher recommended
+- Requires root privileges
+
 ## Security Notes
 - Run as Administrator/root for full functionality
 - Use device protection features responsibly