The question is what are you trying to do that requires ncurses?
 
However, Knoppix has a package manager, called apt-get. You can use that at a terminal window, as root user to install needed packages. Do a search on google on knoppix apt-get and read how to use apt-get.
 
I have not used Knoppix in a while, but basically do the following;
 
type in at root user;
 
apt-get update (hit the enter key)
 
This will update the packages list available on the server.
 
Then when this if finished;
 
apt-get install ncurses
 
But again, what is it that you are trying to install that needs ncurses, then we can give more specific advice.

i'm trying to add graphics/ colors to my program. knoppix was able to read the tar files, but i keep getting error messages everytime i try to install the library.
 
**************
tar zxvf ncurses<version>.tar.gz-----# unzip and untar the archive
cd ncurses<version>--------------# cd to the directory
./configure----------------------# configure the build according to your environment
make---------------------------# make it
su root---------------------------# become root
make install-----------------------# install it
**************

I would forget the ncurses tar package and use the debian (knoppix) deb file installed as I noted above. The apt-get utility will solve any dependency problems and hopefully install such depedency packages automatically, without the error messages that you are getting trying to install the tar ncurses package.
 
What is the package that you are wanting to install to add colors....?