zlacker

>>csmant+(OP)
This post gets some of the details wrong. /usr/local is for site-local software - e.g. things you compile yourself, i.e in the case of the BSDs the ports collection - things outside the base system. (They may be compiled for you).

Since Linux has no concept of a base system, it's a stand-alone kernel with a hodgepodge of crap around it - this distinction makes no sense on Linux.

/opt is generally for software distros for which you don't have source; only binaries. Like commercial software packages. More common on Real UNIX(R) because most Linux users outside enterprise aren't running commercial software. You're putting your $500k EDA software under /opt.

>>schmuc+3q
So, in Debian, where should I be placing a Firefox tarball I download from Mozilla’s site?

It is open-source, and I can get source files, but it’s precompiled…

>>xattt+2N2
Anywhere in your `$PATH` that isn't managed by `apt`/`dpkg`. E.g. add `~/bin` to your `$PATH`, and install it in there. No risk of overwriting files the system package manager manages & having manually-installed software break next time it updates them.