installing software on my brand new linux machine

[jondice]

i am brand new to linux. I switched over from windows 98 and am now using red hat linux. My question is where is a good idea to install software. red hat came with star office and i am a bit confused what folder to place it in. There are many more than the old windows OS. I am also curious if i should install it under a username or under the root. I want the software available by all users. thanks for any help

[freaker]

I usually put programs in /usr/local/bin/, and most of the time after 'make and make install' it usually goes in their anyways..

sometime I put them in my /home/***
but that's only if it doesn't need compiling.. ie. CLI ./nap

freaker :cool:

[bigrigdriver]

The downloads usually have a readme which gives you the instructions you need with regard to which directory to put the download in before you start (use something like archiver to view the the files in the download). Basically, put the download anywhere. When you run Make - Make Install, the scripts will create the necessary directories and write the files to them. :p