I did it with apt-get install asterisk on a mint machine
I am trying to do the first time configuration, but I am kind of lost.
I am trying to test it using Asterisk Web Manager, I know (or at least think) that I need to set up a user in order to use asterisk.
I am trying to add an entry in /etc/asterisk/manager.conf after reading this:
[quote]To interface with the Asterisk Manager a login userid and password is necessary.
You will need to supply that in the /etc/asterisk/manager.conf file[/quote]
Where a ready conf file is proposed, but it is not implemented in my install.
My final intention is to use asterisk with drupal, I am asked there for the "Asterisk server password: " and I guess it is the same thing they are asking for.
make samples sets up the sample configuration, but you can also find them in the configs sub-directory of the source tree. The doc file is also in the source tree.