Hello, I agree the site (http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute/AboutTab.html) is not really user friendly because you can only get the sources, and maybe (but I'm not sure) the binaries from the ftp site, in a folder that has disappeared now. I think the MSwindows binaries were available, and since the author assumed "a very old version runs on Macintosh Power PC platforms". It's probably possible to get this binary file.
>Even if you do try, the source code of a program can rarely be >compiled >on a new platform without some tweaking. as far as Abcm2ps is concerned, it needs no tweaking at all to compile for mswindows or linux, you just have to type "make" But it's true for some other applications it can be much more tricky >I wouldn't say an application is available for the >average >user unless there is a ready-made and *tested* version of it for >the OS he/she is using. It's true most programmers consider it's a piece of cake to compile, and even if it's not really difficult when you have the makefile, it's often long and annoying for normal user to get a compiler, especially for MSwindows users (average C compiler need to download at least 50 Mb of packages). I don't understand why they can't provide at least some old binaries to make their prg more accessible, and update them from time to time (not necesssary with each release). I managed to get a compiler for myself and look how to compile because of this especially. ---- org message : I see your point Eric, but it seems to me you're making a mistake that seems to be a bit too common here: You assume that the average computer user is able to take a C script, run it through a compiler and get a working program right away. This list is heavily dominated by computer programmers, and I suppose for them this kind of things are all in a day's work. The very concept of compiling a program is alien to the vast majority of computer users. Unless you already have some experience in this, you would need quite some self-confidence and a rather desperat need for *that* particular application before you even starts considering going through it all. Even if you do try, the source code of a program can rarely be compiled on a new platform without some tweaking. So sorry, Eric. Although I suppose many of the programmers here will disagree, I wouldn't say an application is available for the average user unless there is a ready-made and *tested* version of it for the OS he/she is using. Frank Nordberg http://www.musicaviva.com ___________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? -- Une adresse @yahoo.fr gratuite et en français ! Yahoo! Mail : http://fr.mail.yahoo.com To subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
