[ubuntu] How do I use open-vm-tools?

I got a message that I should re-install my vmtools. (I just upgraded to VM Fusion 8.1.1 for Ubuntu 15.10.)

So, I went the "VMware Tools Distrib" path, as I have done in the past. I got a message recommending that
I use open-vm-tools that is on my machine. Or I should remove open-vm-tools from my vm. (I lit ubuntu
software center, which does not see open-vm-tools as being installed.)

In any case, I read the relevant KB from VMware (http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2073803), and read a couple
of postings from ubuntu users.

But I cannot figure out what I need to do to run open-vm-tools or if I should upgrade open-vm-tools.
Is there a document which instructs me how to run commands (like renewing the shared folder when unix
is update)?

So, I am being pushed to upgrade tools, and VMware Tools Distrib doesn't recommend I use it - though I did.
I'd like to go the recommended route (open-vm-tools), and found relevant files on my machine, but I don't
know how to use them.

Thanks for any pointers . . .