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
The problems with what you say are that:

1. The history of /usr subdirectories is a lot more complex than that. There was a /usr/lbin once, for example.

1. /usr/local is not where third party softwares from packages/ports go on "the BSDs". On NetBSD, they go in /usr/pkg instead, again exemplifying that this is quite complex through history and across operating systems.