Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 20:58:58 -0500 (CDT)
From: "J. Scott Kasten" <skasten@mtsinet.com>
To: sparc-list@redhat.com
Subject: Netscape for SPARC -- LIVES!!!

There has been much discussion on the list about the when, where, who, and how
of getting Netscape for S/Linux.  I'm happy to say that the time is now!

I started working with the mozilla (AKA Netscape 5) source back in June, only
to find that it was sadly broken for Sparc Linux.  The code only supported x86,
Alpha, 68K, and PPC variants for a linux compile, and even so, to what degree I
don't know.  When a compile was attempted, it defaulted to x86 because there
was no __sparc__ option for linux.  Even so, there were horrible problems with
the make files, problems with threading, etc...  I worked with it off and on
for about two months before I actually got something that compiled without
errors.  A communication with someone on the list (whose name I've now
forgotten, sorry) revealed that there was a new September release of the source
that appeared to have sparc stuff in it.  I pulled down the 9-04 code and
verified that it was indeed true.  Also about that time, I made contact with
someone else on the list who was trying to make it work as well.  This was "Mad
Matt" <md7141@bristol.ac.uk>.  We joined forces a little over a month ago to
crack this thing.

I don't know the name of the individual that integrated the sparc stuff into
the 9-04 release, but that person has my compliments on a job well done.  That
person and myself had come up with nearly identical patches to the code, only
they got it into the distribution first so I cannot take credit for what's
there.  Matt and I thus continued our work using what was in the 9-04 source. 
In the process, it was discovered that several things are broken in 5.1. 
Finally this morning, I was able to get a binary and a patched 5.1 system that
worked and ran.  Slashdot.org never looked so good as to see it on my Sparc at
last after months of effort!!!  And it's reasonably fast to boot.  I will be
continuing to assist Matt in getting the 4.2 binary built and functional, but I
don't know what his time table is between job and school.

Matt and I are looking to build sets of functional binaries for both 5.1 and
4.2, as well as complete instructions on what has to be done to the sytem to
run them.  Whe hope to upload these to a public server somewhere for everyone's
benefit, assuming the NPL or whatever allows us to do so.  (Need to sit down
and read that fine print.)  The 5.1 binary runs OK now, but there is still a
little bit to be done before putting it out somewhere.  I'm targeting late this
week or early next for it to be available.

Hope to hear from you guys soon!

E-Mail: J. Scott Kasten <skasten@mtsinet.com>

Formerly: kasten@meridiantc.com

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