[CentOS] alternatives package?

Hi,

In my struggle today to get python2.4 installed on my CentOS4 system, I saw 
that it installed a packaged called alternatives which is supposed to handle 
symbolic links to default commands in a nice clean, structured way. 
However, I am having trouble understanding how this thing works.

I have read the man page half a dozen times already, and yet the alternative 
link for python which was installed doesn't seem to follow what is written 
in the man page.  I am trying to modify the default behaviour for it, but 
having a lot of difficulty.

Of course, with a name like "alternatives", it makes searching Google, 
tldp.com, etc very difficult.

Does anyone have experience with this package and/or can anyone point me in 
the direction of some good examples, documentation for it?  Something a bit 
more explanative than the man page.

Thanks!

Eric