From: acohen@world.std.com (Aaron Michael Cohen) Subject: linux shared libraries often incompatible Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1993 20:51:50 GMT
Linuxers:
I have had some problems recently in trying to use binaries that I
have downloaded from tsx-11 and sunsite. This is almost always due
to incompatible shared library versions. Now, while I think that
shared libraries are great for saving space, distributing executables
linked with them without source code isn't working for me. It probably
isn't working for some others too. My Linux installation is based on
an SLS release about 2 months old, and already there are lots of apps
that I can't use. So I'd like to propose a solution.
When you post an original app or a port to the net either (1) include the
sources and a makefile, or (2) distribute a set of unlinked object files
and include the link command in the README.linux file.
I think that this would work in most cases. And I sure would be able to
use more software.
Please give me some feedback on this. Otherwise, I think Linux is the
only operating system worth having on your PC (and I have used DOS, OS/2,
Windows, Coherent, and Desqview/X and Linux is the only one that has
lasted on my hard disk more than 3 weeks). I'm getting really snappy
performance running a 40MHz AMD 386 with 8 Megs RAM and an 8 Meg swap
partition. I've got X11 with the openlook window manager, and I feel
like I'm using the SUNs back at work (well, almost :-)). Count me as
another "satisfied customer".
Aaron Michael Cohen
acohen@world.std.com