I'm been in linux for a while now. However whenever I install things I was always confused where to put it so all accounts can have access. What folder directory is the best install place? Also, is there a document that briefly explains most commonly used linux commands without it being buried in paragraphs of writing? An example would be
"thing.rpm -i = install"

instead of

"thing -i is *&^#$*&^@*#^*&@^$*&^#*&$^#*&$^*&#^$*&#^$*&^#*&$^*&#^$*&#^$*&#^$*&^#*&$^#*&$^*&#^$*&#%^*&!#^$&*#^$*&# ^*&$^#*&$^*&#$^*& and if (*@&^#*#%^$*&^@#*$^*#^$*&$^. Also *(^(#&(#^@(&%)@_%)^)(#*$)#^(%^#)*$&(#&$(*#&*$"

thx.

#1. The software should get installed to /usr/local/<installed package>
The config might limit who gets access, but it depends largely on what type of application. If its meant for root only, then others shouldn't get to play with it. Usually, you can use the make --prefix=/usr/..... to indicate where the package should be installed to however most people are compiling the apps so you are a the mercy of whomever made the rpm.

#2. I take it you don't like the MAN pages? Usually the online man pages aren't cluttered with useless information. Also the wiki here and using the --help option in the command should tell you what you need, although I've found the --help unforgiving sometimes.

How about something like firefox? Should that be installed in usr/local? does this mean non root users cant use it because it the access is limited? If not, then how limited is that folder?

Many programs install automatically to /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin, et cetera. Some, like Firefox, I put in /opt; to some extent it's preference, to some it's convention.

This "handle" won't work in the Linux world....

That's just the tip of the iceberg...

Seriously, just take it one step at a time. Also, consider buying an introductory test like, eg, "Linux in a Nutshell", from O'Reilly

Generally if you build something from source it goes in /usr/local (it usually does this by default). Software installed via packages (ie. RPMs) will automatically find their place (/usr for just about all user applications). Programs that install in a single 'program folder' like on Windows would generally go in /opt, the firefox binary install is an example of this.

The FHS has standardised all this: http://www.pathname.com/fhs/pub/fhs-2.3.html