Lance & Carrie Borden wrote:
> I've got the concept for installing those programs, but what about directories?
> With the rpms, it seems automatic (the programs "know where to go"). What about
> .tar files? It says we untar these in the working directory -- is there a
> specific "working directory" in Linux, or does that just mean wherever you
> happen to have it?
Yes, wherever YOU are working, right now. Usually the home
directory of the person doing the install, though some people
use /tmp (I wouldn't) and some people make a special directory
under home or usr for all that.
> Then, for the actual installation...will its Makefile find
> the "right place" in the Linux directory to install the program? If not, how
> should I choose a destination?
Often the makefile will install it in the right
place, with the "make install" command. If it
doesn't, you should read any config files it has
to find out where it expects to be, and if it has
none, you can usually put it in "/usr/local/bin",
which is the officially correct place for system-
wide programs that are specific to the local installation.
Also, if you are the only person who will ever use this,
and want to keep things easy to back up, you can make
a "bin" in your home directory and put it in there, so
that when you backup everything, you can just backup
your home directory and know that everything is in there.
> Finally, should I be installing each an every program as root (I tried
> installing StarOffice as root, but never could figure out how to give permission
> for user to run it)?
If you do not install it as root, you should put it
in "/home/yourname/bin", unless it insists on going
somewhere else (as StarOffice may). Even then, you
should put a symbolic link ("man ln" for details) from
the place it was installed to your "bin" directory.
> If so, do I log in as root to install, or do I log in as
> user and then use the root console to install?
Either. Shouldn't make a difference.
--
Wolfkin ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
Crypto key: www.freedomspace.net/~wolfkin/crypto.text
On a visible but distant shore, a new image of man;
The shape of his own future, now in his own hands.-- Johnny Clegg.
