[olug] Installing software under /usr/local

[Craig Wolf]

I would try to install all that you can the /usr/local that way in the
future, when you DO upgrade to the newest version, removing the old
version is simple and easy, IMHO.  This is what I try to do when using
non-rpm'd programs.

Craig Wolf
Linux Web Server Support
Backup Supervisor
Desktop/Network Specialist
402-894-6283


>>> burchell at inebraska.com 2/26/2003 >>>
I feel bad about promulgating the (admittedly trivial) flame war, so
I'm
going to ask a legit question.

Let's say I have a fine Linux box and most of my software has come
to me as RPMs or .deb files.  But, I need to pick up the sources
for a more recent version of some software, and I want to install it
under "/usr/local".  Let's say I want the latest version of The GIMP.
Should I install it under a directory I create called
"/usr/local/gimp"
or should I put The Gimp's libs under "/usr/local/lib", the executable
under "/usr/local/bin", and so on?

I've always leaned towards putting all the files under
their own directory, then adding those that I want to my path
(PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/gimp/bin).  That way I can keep the software
versions straight, but it can be inconvenient when adding new users to
the
system and lead to a long path.

Comments?  Opinions?

-- 
Dave Burchell                                          40.49'N,
96.41'W
Free your mind and your software will follow.             
402-467-1619
http://incolor.inetnebr.com/burchell/                  burchell at acm.org
    
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