Install binary package without root permission

I downloaded the Ardour binary package and I am wondering that it asks me for a root password. Is there a way to install/extract it with user permissions in my home directory? I can remember that this worked with older versions. Why did you change this? Furthermore: What is the installer doing? Just extracting a tree in “/opt” or something more like manipulating $PATH?

The installer writes to directories owned by root to create a desktop link and Gnome/KDE/XFCE (etc.) menu entry. It’s probably what most users want.

The installer is a shell script. If you read it, it contains instructions for manual installation by unzipping a file, but I’m not clear where that .zip file comes from, so over to someone else to answer your first question…

OK, thanks !