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I've just bought a game (Machinarium) which does not come with a deb file neither is it a ./configure, make etc type of application. I can just run it. Where is the best place to put it so i can create a launcher and keep it out of my home directory?

i.e. I'm basically asking where are applications are installed and should i put this game there.

Thanks!

Will
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  • I've left it in home as i've had trouble putting it in opt, the flash files weren't read so I've left it in home at the moment which works with a custom launcher located here "http://ubuntu.stackexchange.com/questions/2058/creating-a-launcher-for-mechinarium" Please give props to the user if it helps you out! – Will Aug 13 '10 at 09:31

2 Answers2

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Usually you would select /opt or /usr/local as installation path.

You need to use sudo if you want to copy anything into those directories.

Marco Ceppi
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txwikinger
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  • Hmmm i seem to be having trouble copying. In the command line i type "cp -r /home/will/Machinarium /opt" and i get this error: cp: cannot overwrite non-directory /opt/Machinarium' with directory/home/will/Machinarium' – Will Aug 12 '10 at 16:47
  • You would declare the installation path to ./configure – txwikinger Aug 12 '10 at 17:02
  • I would go with /opt – myusuf3 Aug 12 '10 at 17:03
  • @txwikinger. This is a windows-like setup for a closed source game. So no ./configure for him. – Javier Rivera Aug 12 '10 at 17:19
  • What kind of games is that? Running under wine? – txwikinger Aug 12 '10 at 17:37
  • No its a flash game, native to linux, the executable is basically just a click and run type thing, it needs to read some folders with .swf files in the same directory – Will Aug 12 '10 at 17:49
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    I almost exclusively recommend /opt - that's pretty much what /opt is there for. – Marco Ceppi Aug 12 '10 at 19:14
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    According to the File Hierarchy Standard (FHS) both are possible. /opt was always the option in System V based Unix systems to install additional software. However, system administrators often use /usr/local/ instead since it parallels the /usr directory but protects the content of being overwritten by updates. So both places are really the same, the redundancy exists because of historical reasons. – txwikinger Aug 12 '10 at 19:24
  • I use /usr/local/ for more "unixy" applications (those that are split in the usual subdirs bin/, lib/, etc.), and use /opt/ for more exotic stuff, e.g. Eclipse. – UncleZeiv Aug 12 '10 at 23:34
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Based on the fact that you have paid money for it, might be a good idea keeping it close to other documents that you will definitely take care of, that is, in the home directory.

~/bin is not widely known location but it is added in the PATH by bash so it looks pretty standard to me.

vava
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  • Well, I keep a backup on an external HD and i have the emails with the DL links archived so i think it will be fine putting it somewhere else than home, its clogged enough as it is! thanks for the help – Will Aug 12 '10 at 16:34