Ubuntu and System Domains

[Nathaniel McCallum]

On Sat, 2004-10-09 at 14:49 -0400, Brett Kirksey wrote:
> Since OS X was the first unix I ever used on a regular basis,
> I've assumed one of its features is common to all *nix flavors,
> but I haven't seen any mention of it here. Is Ubuntu divided
> into "domains" the way OS X is?
> 
> For example, in OS X most of your configuration type files are
> kept in a directory called "Library". Any time the system needs
> something from the Library, it will look in the System
> directory's "Library" (System Domain), the root directory's
> "Library" (Local Domain), and the user's "Library" (User
> Domain). A user can then install fonts, utilities, etc. that are
> only available to them and not polute the system with their
> add-ons. This same principle applies to Applications, Documents,
> etc.
> 
> I see this basic prinicple applied in Ubuntu/Linux by having
> similar directories in "/", "/usr", and "/usr/local". But does
> this also apply to the home directory?
> 
> Can Ubuntu properly locate items installed in the user domain
> without specifically being told to do so?

Its on a per-case basis.  However, it does often work, yes.  For
instance /usr/share/themes is the set of system themes, however you can
also install fonts in ~/.themes.  I'm pretty sure this is the case for
things like icons, fonts, etc

Nathaniel