/usr/share - What's the point?
 

Okay, forgive my ignorance, but I'm a bit confused. Why is it that Linux seems to have both a /usr/local and a usr/share? I'm assuming /share is so programs can share libraries and whatnot such as GTK, but isn't that what /usr/lib should be for?

Is there a way to get rid of the /share placement and just have all the non-essential programs installed into usr/local?

I've always thought /opt was a bit of a redundancy, as well. I'd say the filesystem layout is up for a bit of revision, but I don't think the traditionalists in our community would go for that. I guess it's good to have lots of options, but I think there should be some consolidation.

--Shade

Well, if there IS no real point, then I'd like to begin working on a way to get my Slack install filesystem trimmed down some. Having all non-essential programs in /usr/local would be SO much better. And you're right, I forgot all about /usr/opt.

Well, the problem is that in order to get a custom filesystem layout, you'll need to either compile all your own programs, or use binary packages that only install to /usr/local or /usr...

Many, such as kde and gnome do use share and opt.
It's quite doable, and there are a few different tree layouts out there, some distros use customs jobs. I've thought about it myself, but I'm not so irked by the redundancy that I'll take action ;)

--Shade

Well, it bugs me. Plus, actually, it's not very conducive to helping newbies out, either. I don't want to lose that great feeling Slackware has from doing custom configs and whatnot, but there's a purpose to that (configurability and power). Redundant filepaths aren't really conducive to learning or customization, except for learning the paths themselves, heh.

If I get annoyed enough to seek resolution, I'll let you know what I find.

/usr/share is not for shared libraries but for other shared resources like bitmap (icons, bitmap theme), I don't think you will find binaries here.

It is a common place for share resources between program, it is present not only on linux but in mac osx as well and all unix like system too I think.