is there a way for me to set a default installation path for my programs. for example windows usually automatically sends all programs to the Crogramfiles directory, can i do this on linux without having to set special parameters for each app i install?

The convention is as follows;

/etc = where most configuration files go
/bin = where general user kernel related command binaries go
/sbin = where root only kernel related command binaries go
/usr = where applications go (including some X stuff)
/dev = where the hardware profiles go
/lib = where essential software libraries go
/home = where user accounts go
/var = where variables go
/mnt = where temporary filesystems get mounted (including removeable disks and Windoze partitions).
/root = root's home directory
/tmp = temporary stuff directory
/opt = place for optional system packages

Most RPMs will put their programs some place in /usr. There really isn't a good way to change that.

Some games, like Quake 3 Arena, for example, will allow you to put them where you choose.

If I could offer a bit of advise,...
Stick to where the default installation routines put them. You're opening a pandora's box if you don't, because there is an acceptable convention as to how a Linux distro is structured (with some variations for each distro of course).

Linux isn't like Windoze. It isn't as forgiving about where things go as Windoze is. Partly, this is because it is a multi-user operating system from the get-go.