HOWTO

Q: I need How do I install a program that needs root?

Very, very few programs actually need root priveledges for installation even though it might seem otherwise. Most of the time, the default installation are to the /usr/local directory, and that might make it seem that root is needed. This is because /usr/local can only be written to by the root superuser.

But, in fact, most programs can be installed anywhere. If the program uses the standard gnu "configure" program, then running configure like this

./configure --prefix=/home/username

where "username" is replaced with your user name will install the program in your /home/username directory without the need for root priveledges.

The same is true with regard to perl modules, libraries, scripts, and even daemons. Typically, the only reason root priveledges are needed for installation is if the program requires some low numbered network port for operation, or if the program has system wide impact. In neither of these cases are we likely to allow you to use the program anyway (unless we already support that sort of program -- like an email or web server).