linux standard layout

Dear list,

I have about 20 postgresql databases, about 3-4 GB in total.

We are moving them from Solaris/SPARC to a linux based virtual machine.

I don't like the VMWare environment, but it's not my choice, and assuming
the cpu load is ok, will there be any benefits if I put each database on
separate partitions, vs. simply using the one data directory?

Also, how is using standard rpm, with its standard layout (/var/lib/pgsql,
/usr/lib/pgsql, ...), generally regarded? ( vs. compiling everything ?)
Does anyone think using the rpm is unprofessional or something that only
beginners will do?

I have someone who opposes the use of standard rpms (even yums) for this
reason. I thought I'd check out how it is received professionally.

I ask the question because sometimes I feel uneasy mixing rpms and source
compilation.

If I compile something from the source, sometimes I see a boundary
condition - like, if I already have DBI from a standard rpm, it expects
postgresql library at a certain location - making me wonder whether I
should remove the DBI rpm and compile it also from the source, or whether
I should use standard rpms for postgresql as well. (DBI may not be a good
example.)

In general I didn't have any problems yet with standard rpms and I can
make the rpms work if there's a problem, but I may be missing something.

Any advice or reference to a relevant article on this issue will be
appreciated.

Thanks.

Ben Kim