Where Should I Install User Applictions?
 

Where is the best place to install user applications? Specifically, what is the analogous directory to the Windows "Program Files" directory? Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

linux is different than windows...
* windows will put everything into "program files" in folders by the program name.

* only a few big packages do this in linux. samba, java, kde, mozilla, etc. will make their own directories in /usr/local and put everything in there.
Most other programs will install into the bin, sbin, var, lib, etc, man, share, include directories in either /usr or /usr/local

you should very rarely need (or want) to change the default install paths.

Installing StarOffice 6.0
 

Thank you. The only problem is that the StarOffice Setup Guide writes that I should choose a directory. In such cases, what is the best directory to use?
Thanks again!

/usr/local/staroffice or something. yeah some large applications do benefit from their own directories, but only if they are seriosuly big (and frequently proprietry) like staroffice, netscape, mozilla etc...

I have a related question...
Is there a good resource that details the purpose of the Linux directory structure?
Gives the descriptions of the various directories and their purpose?
What should and should not be placed/installed in them?