I've searched the web, and have found a number of different answers to my question, hopefully the wise people here can help clarify it for me.

When I download the source to a program in tar.gz format, where is typically the best place to place the file to un-tar it? Some say, /usr/src, others have recommended the user's directory. My understanding is that when you run the 'make install' command, everything gets put in the proper place, so does the original location matter? I'd like to have everything installed in /usr/local/ to keep it neat. I am the only person using this PC, so giving access to different users isnt really an issue.

I am using Slackware 8.1 if this makes any difference.

Any recomendations?


Thanks!

I like /usr/local/src for source code if I am going to keep it on the drive.

It doesn't really matter where it is extracted as it is just used to compile and install the program. It isn't neecessary to keep it after the program has been installed.