Yum or apt-get install question

I have since a while a local linux (centos) server running.

I used to install all the software packages from source but since my last format i switched to the YUM INSTALL method.

I works all great and easy, but i have a question.
Yum install practically always places everything in the /etc directory.
ex: /etc/http
Also a lot of the config files are dropped under the /etc dir. This makes it all a bit unstructered and chaotic.

While in the past using the source install method, i could personnaly choose where the software would be installed. I could structurize my server which made it much more easier to manage.
Ex: alle the software packages i installed in /usr/local/soft/
and alle libs in /usr/local/libs

Is there a manner so i could install the software using yum or apt-get in which i can choose the installation directory?

Because on of the plus features of yum or apt-get is that the can be maintained and updated very easy. Something that enhances the security of the server.

Any help or suggestion are welcome

Grtz Thim

 

No, that isn't possible.

 

Isn't there a away of using yum to get the src rpms?
So i can compile the rpms in a manner i want and do they still get updated then?

 

No, you have to download the srpms yourself...