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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!

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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 "ubuntu.stackexchange.com/questions/2058/…" Please give props to the user if it helps you out!
    – Will
    Aug 13, 2010 at 9:31

2 Answers 2

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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.

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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, 2010 at 16:47
  • You would declare the installation path to ./configure
    – txwikinger
    Aug 12, 2010 at 17:02
  • I would go with /opt
    – myusuf3
    Aug 12, 2010 at 17:03
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    I almost exclusively recommend /opt - that's pretty much what /opt is there for. Aug 12, 2010 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, 2010 at 19:24
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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.

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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, 2010 at 16:34

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