Frequently Asked Questions


Why XClass (i.e. and not GTK+ or QT)?
I get an error when I attempt to compile XClass, it says something like: "Undefined data type for _sbwidth..."
I get an error when I run make in the xPine directory.
I get an error when I attempt to compile PINE, it says  "cannot find -ltermcap..."
 

Q. Why XClass (i.e. and not GTK+ or QT)?

A. Well, I originally started writing X-Dora in XClass back in 1997 when KDE was still in alpha and GNOME was just a twinkle in Miguel de Icaza's eye.  So when I picked up the old project for xPine, I just continued using the toolkit.  But my reasons go beyond historical -- I'm somewhat disturbed by the toolkit wars that are going on among the GTK+ and QT camps.  I don't want xPine to polarize people, I want it to be accessible to them.  Additionally, XClass is the only library with a camp of people who won't bite my head off for the liberties I would take with the library.  I'm not calling the XClass people meek or the GTK+/QT people insane, I'm just saying that I'm playing it safe.  There's another issue as well.  I don't want people to have to worry about having TheRightVersionTM of toolkit libraries, which is why I distribute the version of XClass that I use with xPine.  Personally I hate it when I download the source to a cool project that I see on freshmeat, and then I find out that I can't compile it because I don't have JoeBob's File Stripper for QTK- v3.201.193.  I'm not saying I'm adverse to creating a kPine or gPine, but they will only be derivative works of xPine.  I plan to continue to develop XClass and hopefully create a powerful, "Environment-Agnostic" toolkit that is just as robust as the others.

Q. I get an error when I attempt to compile XClass, it says something like: "Undefined data type for _sbwidth..."

A. Yeah.  With my [older] version of Gcc, it's only a warning, but with the later versions, it becomes an error.  It's still illegal no matter what, but it seems to have been promoted from "misdemeanor" to "felony." In any case, I changed the offending file in XClass to contain the correct syntax.  It has replaced the original XClass to prevent any version confusion, so just download xclass again from ftp://xpine.sourceforge.net/pub/xpine/xpine-0.0.12. and you'll be golden.

Q. I get an error when I run make in the xPine directory.

A. If this is a COMPILE ERROR, forward it on to me or the mailing list (preferrably the mailing list), however if this is a LINK ERROR then remember as I said in the Install Directions you WILL receive link errors when you attempt to compile xPine.  IGNORE THESE ERRORS.  Use the link script ./pine4.10/pine/bld to link xPine.

Q. I get an error when I attempt to compile PINE, it says  "cannot find -ltermcap..."

A. This means that you don't have Emacs installed (or that your Emacs installation didn't include the Termcap library like its supposed to).  In any case, I've stripped the two files that comprise the termcap library from the Emacs distribution, and they're included in the next (0.0.13) xPine distribution (when it comes out :-).