Where to put a install file prior to install
 

I have a Canon MX320 printer/scanner/copier/fax to install on Sabayon 5.1. I have a choice of downloading a .deb file, a .rpm file, or a tar.gz source file from Canon Inc. Where do I have to put the file prior to install, will the files automatically end up in the correct place? (I haven't done this on Sabayon before, bet you couldn't tell!) Thanks for any help.

The location where .rpm, .deb or .tar.gz files are save prior to installation does not matter. The packet manager/install script will copy them to to correct location. Sometimes .tar.gz files are an exception. I'd have a look at the .tar.gz package (because sabayon is derived/similar from gentoo). Unpack it somewhere and examine the contents. In most cases there will be a README or INSTALL file that explains how to install the package.

I usually put that stuff under /opt; its more or less what /opt is for.

Hi Mompy. I would download the .tar.gz for Sabayon. Put it in your home (/home/<username>) directory and extract it there. As irmin said, look for a README, INSTALL, or some other text file with instructions (most tarballs have one included). If you don't see any instructions there, you'll have to check the site that you dloaded from for instructions.

EDIT: Just saw chris's reply. The reason I use my home directory is that I am relatively inexperienced at this, and the less commands I run as root, the safer.

Thanks for all the help, to all, it has helped, I have extracted the file, and ended up with a great deal of separate files, cd to the directory and found that the original file was for three separate printers, all Canon. The INSTALL file had complete instructions on choosing the correct "make" and "make install" for my printer and after going thru it all, much work, learning a lot on the way, the printer still does not know it is now supposed to work! I've obviously done something wrong along the way, is it now possible to undo all the work and start again - can I uninstall it all? or do I just over write the lot? Anyway, your help much appreciated, it's a fascinating journey, isn't it?