[KLUG Members] Linux compiling question

[Robert Pfeiffer]

When looking to compile Xine, in the FAQ's they offer this little item:


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mkdir ~/usr
mkdir ~/usr/src
edit ~/.bashrc

export path="$HOME/usr/bin:$path"
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$HOME/usr/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"
export CFLAGS="-I$HOME/usr/include -L$HOME/usr/lib -O3"
export ACLOCAL_FLAGS="-I $HOME/usr/share/alocal"

mkdir ~/usr/src

cofigure --prefix=$HOME/usr
make install
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I understand that this setups a /usr type dir structure in someone's 
home directory and compiles the software.  What I don't understand is 
the danger in doing this and is theis the prefered method over becoming 
superuser to do the same process.  I guess really the questions I'm 
really interested in are why, what benefit and pitfalls.  The wisdom of 
the KLUG would be highly valued.

Thanks and sorry if this is truely a stupid question to ask.

RAP