[PLUG] Instal info request

[Prutzer]

Hi All,
Okay, I recently was reading somewhere on how to install software on
Linux so that multiple users could access it from a SOHO network. It
was a great article and like all such articles, got me to thinking
about doing the same thing. Now, I can't seem to find the articles. So
this is what I have in mind:

I have downloaded and copied onto the hard drive the two files (one is
a gz the other a rpm.bin) that are the software releases.
I'd like to be able to have several users logon and use them from
their native home directories.
How or what do I do, and to what directories and paths do I install so
that users from across the network can access these programs?

the programs are Java sdk 1.4.2 and Open Office.

If I could find a good website with explanation I could print would be
my first choice ( after all, if I can read it, I can teach myself to
do it) or if there is something I'm overlooking that I should already
know(Why Yes, I have taken classes in Linux at school.....) then a
gentle 2x4 to the back of my head would be appropriate.
Or, if you just want to explain to me the best way you have found to
do it, I'd be happy to give my thanks once I'd gotten said software
working appropriately.

In any case, I'm looking for feedback.

Thanks in Advance,

Harry
Dont immanentize the eschaton