[rescue] GNU != Unix (was: PC v. PeeCees? (was: IBM hard

[Kurt Mosiejczuk]

On Sun, 14 Jul 2002, Eric Dittman wrote:

> > > I can remember trying to get software to compile on A/UX that
> > > had problems due to bad programming practices.

> >   Sure they have.  But this is a slightly different problem...it's
> > software written specifically for Linux, not for UNIX...and [sometimes
> > implicitly] advertised as "portable" or "UNIX-like" software.

> And before that it was SunOS, x.yBSD, SxRy, etc.  Expecting
> portability to a different Un*x platform for a program written
> on another Un*x platform is wishful thinking.

Really, we've all just gotten soft.  How many remember compiling
software BEFORE autoconf? *raises hand*

THAT was a challenge.  I'd plug away at brain damaged makefiles
(or good makefiles that didn't like my brain-damaged system).
Now we all get cranky if autoconf doesn't work exactly 100%
right.  And we complain about the quality of the authors.

Oh, and I'm not just tarring everyone else with the brush, I'm
getting me also.  I don't like slogging through makefiles any
more either =) (Although I'll do minor work if I feel the
software is worth the effort).

--Kurt