RedHat, Fedora future?

[Robin Laing]

Bob Marcan wrote:
> Adam Cooper wrote:
> 
>>> From the Red Hat 9 "Getting Started Guide" Appendix D:
>>
>>
>> /usr/ - Contains files and directories directly relating to users of the
>> system, such as programs and supporting library files
>>
>> /opt/ - Directory where optional files and programs are stored. This
>> Directory is used mainly by third party developers for easy installation
>> and un-installation  of their software packages.
>>
>> I thought that makes their stance (as in Red Hat) pretty clear.
>> I'm pretty new to this. Is this a non-standard way of doing thing then?
>>
>> Adam Cooper
>>
>>
> 
> DEC^H^HCompaq^H^HHP Tru64 uses /opt and /usr/opt for their own add on 
> packages:
> 

> Regards, Bob

Ah, this discussion shows that the question about where applications 
are installed isn't that easy to answer.

RH has stated one thing but as I have posted the question, when is an 
application become an option.  If you download openoffice from 
openoffice.org and install it using all the defaults, it will install 
in /opt/openoffice but if you install OpenOffice from RH it will 
install in /usr/lib/openoffice.

 From the Filesystem Hierarchy Standards is states "Large software 
packages must not use a direct subdirectory under the /usr hierarchy."

I don't know about you, but I would claim OpenOffice is a large 
software package.

Now if you don't install an application during installation of the OS 
does it become an optional program?  What about users wanting/needing 
the latest patch or feature upgrade?  This can cause problems for the 
new users.

As the thread is also looking at included applications, this can 
increase headaches for those less experienced.  I see an add-on or 
plugin that will increase my usage.  It isn't supplied by Fedora or RH 
due to copyright or other reasons and that is acceptable.  But there 
are no RPM's (that I can find) so I download the add-on and follow the 
installation instructions.  The problem occurs when I cannot find the 
specific directories as they are different than the default 
application install (/opt/xxx or /usr/local) as stated in the 
documentation.  I have come across this in the past.

I always thought that the idea of standards is to make sure things 
work together with no headaches or problems with a disregard to 
distribution.  I thought that was why the Linux Standards comities 
were created.

-- 
Robin Laing