and i thought windows made a mess of files...

Ok, so far I'm really enjoying Linux (I'm on day 7), but I must admit I'm very confused about the directory system. Namely, where do programs and files go when they are installed? I have read a couple of websites that give brief descriptions of some of the main ones (e.g. /usr/bin for system programs, like bash commands), but when it comes to knowing where the files for a particular program are, I'm at a loss.

In Windows, it actually seems easier. You choose the directory to install to and that's where you can go to find what you need -- mostly. I know Windows spreads stuff all over the place (registry, AppData perhaps), but I was at least able to understand where things are. Right now, with Ubuntu, I just get the feeling that stuff is all over my computer and I have no idea where to look for anything (e.g. my vim files).

So does anyone know of a good website that gets into a little more detail about how programs are installed, and where things can be found on the system?

Thanks.
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: and i thought windows made a mess of files...
    ... I'm very confused about the directory system. ... install to and that's where you can go to find what you need -- mostly. ... I know Windows spreads stuff all over the place (registry, ... type; example type vim ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: and i thought windows made a mess of files...
    ... I'm very confused about the directory system. ... install to and that's where you can go to find what you need -- mostly. ... I know Windows spreads stuff all over the place (registry, ... Linux Websites Links http://myweb.cableone.net/okieman7/linux.htm ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: and i thought windows made a mess of files...
    ... I have read a couple of websites that give brief descriptions of some of the main ones, but when it comes to knowing where the files for a particular program are, I'm at a loss. ... You choose the directory to install to and that's where you can go to find what you need -- mostly. ... I know Windows spreads stuff all over the place, but I was at least able to understand where things are. ... Right now, with Ubuntu, I just get the feeling that stuff is all over my computer and I have no idea where to look for anything (e.g. my vim files). ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: and i thought windows made a mess of files...
    ... I'm very confused about the directory system. ... I have read a couple of websites ... install to and that's where you can go to find what you need -- mostly. ... I know Windows spreads stuff all over the place (registry, ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: and i thought windows made a mess of files...
    ... I'm very confused about the directory system. ... I have read a couple of websites that give brief descriptions of some of the main ones, but when it comes to knowing where the files for a particular program are, I'm at a loss. ... At least you told him a couple ways to find this sort of thing out, so not a total loss in answering. ... install to and that's where you can go to find what you need -- mostly. ...
    (alt.os.linux)