[EMBOSS] installing zlib, libpng and gd

[W John Haynes]

To Whom it may concern:

I am going through the process of installing and compiling the EMBOSS 
package for the first time.  I have a G5 running OS.X.3.4 but I would 
say I am still a novice (this is an offline home computer).  I have 
installed and used the BLAST package from NCBI and the Phyllip package 
but overall, I would say that I am still unfamiliar with installing and 
compiling programs.  I do not yet have much experience.  I have 
down-loaded the tar.gz files from the EMBOSS ftp site.  As I was 
reading the Admin manual on installation there is a requirement to 
download and install three more tar.gz files called z, png and gd 
libraries.  What will these actually do for the program and will this 
cause any conflicts with other programs previously installed?
For instance I had previously installed the Phyllip package of 
programs, what will happen if I install the set included in the EMBOSS 
package?  If I do not move the Phyllip package into the EMBOSS folder 
and expand it, will the EMBOSS install correctly?  Does the 
installation of these libraries cause any other problems any other 
programs?

Thanks for the help
W. John Haynes