Let's say I were to download and install StarOffice 5.2. Where would be the most normal place to install it to? I don't want it in my home dir, I want it easily accessable to everyone.
/usr/bin is a great place to install a progam that will be used by other users on a Linux system. Just setup the permissions on the file (if they aren't already) to allow eveyone access.
I can't see any directories in there already, so it's not a very normal place I don't think. IT's got the executables in it, and links to exes, but no folders for the REST of the program.
If you are using RPM's or even a script to install, most programs are already setup to install to /usr/bin but they will also likely create a sub-directory in your home directory to store your users personal configuration (if applicable I.E. Netscape, etc.)