i tried to build parrot on win32 yesterday. i too found the readme out of date.
i didn't know how version-dependent parrot was with unicode, so i tracked down the 2.8 version of icu at ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/software/globalization/icu/2.8 with this version installed, 'icudata.lib' is the proper name for --icushared. BTW your patch doesn't mention that you've changed versions from 2.8 to latest (currently 3.2), or update the version mentioned in the rest of the readme. if parrot runs successfully with different versions of icu (anyone?) then a patch can be applied with more specific language on installing with the versions of icu known to work, and hints on installing with unproven versions. ~jerry ************************************************************************** This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may contain privileged or confidential information. It is solely for use by the individual for whom it is intended, even if addressed incorrectly. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender; do not disclose, copy, distribute, or take any action in reliance on the contents of this information; and delete it from your system. Any other use of this e-mail is prohibited. Thank you for your compliance.