Hello, I am new to Linux. I am an avid programmer in the C/ C++ and ASM languages so I thought I'd give Linux a try. I am using Slackware 10 using Gnome as my GUI.

My question is, I have successfully used tar consistently now. But I am having a bit of confusion making where to install and how to make shortcuts on my toolbars and on my desktop. I put the tarball into my /home/mydir and successfully extracted. I was told that most of my libraries and software goes in the /usr directory, so I install them into there. Then someone told me that I should install my software into my /usr/local. I'm a bit confused. Can someone give me a better overview where in /usr to install my software. Plus, I can't ever find the actual binaries in my Firefox folder when I want to make shortcuts or even run it.

Sorry if I'm not making any sense, I'm trying to shake my Windows traits as much as possible without sounding too confusing. Thanks to anyone in advance.

P.S. Yes I have searched on this on google and on this site, but my question(s) still have gone unanswered.

I really do appreciate anyones help given. I've dedicated what little free time I have to finding this out on my own.

when you install software, the shortcuts by default go into /usr/local/bin .

so now you know where to execute your shortcuts from

n when u install a software,each component of the software goes into different directories(like /usr/share /usr/lib and so on)

You dont have to bother abt that for functioning

am i clear?

First, binaries of most system programs go to the /usr/bin dir. You may want to install your software in the /usr/local dir,coz it's universally available from that location. Most packages will install the binaries and libs in the appropriate dirs, so unless you want them somewhere else, just let the package handle the installation. And it doesn't matter you untarred your package,it will install itself according to it's prespecified rules.
As for firefox,if you didn't specify a different location during configure, you'll find the binary in the /usr/local/bin dir. I think to understand the linux filesystem, try looking up this URL: www.tldp.org/docs.html

Try looking up the man pages for more info. Linux documentation is very extensive, unlike Redmondsoft's.

Hi Rawr101,
I think your answer might still not be answered completely.

You mention you have managed to successfully use tar, but I am not sure you have actually managed to install software nonetheless. (You dont need to copy any file anywhere. The installation is completely automated in most cases, all you need to do is enter three commands.)
Just to make sure, have a look at this article about compiling (and installing) software from source in linux.
It is really not necessary to have an in-depth understanding of the file system to use a linux system. However, if you feel more comfortable knowing about it, look at this description.

Making links to programs does not require you to know where the binaries are either. Any command you can run from the command line can also be executed from within the desktop environment. If you still want to find out where the binary is located, try using the command which (e.g.:which firefox). Use the man pages (e.g.: man which).

Good luck with linux,
- drowstar