Installation of Rsyslog Source Files

[discovery101]

I have recently installed Ubuntu 11.10 and I understand that it comes pre-installed with a minimal and compiled set of files for rsyslog.

I would like to make some modifications to the various plug-in modules. However, I am unclear on how to install the rsyslog source code. I have downloaded the original software package (.tar.gz) from the ubuntu repository, but if I run the /configure steps, will that not just install a new copy of the program under usr/bin , usr/lib, etc. versus where the compiled code is currently located under <root>/lib , <root>/etc.?

Or, asking the same question in a slightly different way, if I would like to make changes, do I need to inactivate the pre-installed version of rsyslog and just compile and operate a new installed version, or is there a way (let me clarify, and easy way for a new linux user), to install the source code using the current Ubuntu configuration?

Thanks for any advice or help in advance !

[oldos2er]

Installing from source usually will install to /usr/local/*. That is using the command sudo make install.

[discovery101]

Thanks Ann.

The problem, as I understand it, is that when they compiled Ubuntu, they did not install rsyslog into that location. It looks like they made it part of the base OS.

So, if I do the sudo make install, I think that I will be installing a 2nd copy. What I would like to do, is modify the installed base copy.

I appreciate your help.

[oldos2er]

I'm sure there's a way to modify the existing rsyslog, but if I were you I'd take the easy way out: uninstall rsyslog using 'apt-get remove', then compile and install the source code version.

I am not a programmer, so it might be best if you wait for a second opinion!