directory structure and installation location

[ChrisM]

I have recently installed Ubuntu and want to install new applications of 
the '.bin' nature. I have got the hang of extracting the .bin and 
chmod-ding it to be executable and understand that the .bin has to be 
executed from the app's new directory. But which is the'right' directory 
for them to be started from? /usr/?, /opt/? /home/chris? A read of the 
FHS site helped a bit but still am not sure.

Is there a good rule of thumb for doing this?


Also: ...What Gnome-based filemanager is well regarded and will display 
two panes, W. Explorer style?  Will the default do it?

Please tell.