General Rule - anything not part of the distribution, compile from source and use the installation prefix of /usr/local/
This will keep your custom installation separate from the distribution and give you an easy upgrade route later on. If the program needs it's own shared libraries then don't forget to add the /usr/local/lib path to /etc/ld.so.conf. Happy Hacking, Colin Ellis Solution City Ltd http://www.solution-city.com -----Original Message----- From: Hal Vaughan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 06 February 2003 18:21 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Installing Non-Debian Programs w/out Apt -- what effect? Now that I finally have a working Debian system, I want to know what will happen if I install non-Debian programs. I know this will vary from case to case, but I'm wondering what the general impact is if I have to install programs that I can't do from apt. For example, Main Concept will be coming out with a pretty good video editor soon (Main Actor), and it'll have its own install program. I'll also need Open Office. (I know there's a package in Sid, but this is for production boxen for my company -- I don't have time to deal w/ unstable and fix things as they break -- I'd also like to try to keep my system as stable.) If I install programs, do they generally not interfere w/ apt? And, while I'm on it -- once a program is packaged (like Open Office) and is in unstable, is there any general rule of thumb for how long it takes to go to testing and finally to stable? Hal -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]