How do I start vassal in Linux?

Hi,
Interesting how to. First what is a tar.bz2??
2nd not having any electric i was intrigued when i saw vassal had a linux version. Thought maybe to get an install on a tablet. I believe there are some linux versions on the site. 3 of them i believe. Picked debian for some reason. Was amazed that it installed. Only thing is is the load command is not highlighted. So what does that mean?
So i have linux installed got the tar available but still not able to do the afore mentioned hints.
Since there is a fount of linux info here answer another newbies queries.
If debian isnt going to work which version would be best on a tablet?? Also is android a GUI sitting on linux ?? Any rules of thumb there aside from not doing any root work?
Tks RAy.