Binary distributions vs source code

[aprc at mail.nerc-bas.ac.uk]

James Darrell McCauley asks why people want binary versions, rather than 
compiling them themselves. My own experience is the answer! I am an experienced 
programmer, having been in the business for about 20 years. I have developed 
complex systems. However, attempting to compile a complex system is very tricky. 
I have attempted to compile GRASS on a DEC Alpha, which is not one of the 
platforms that are in the documentation. I cannot get a clean compilation, and I 
do not have the information to find out why - at least, not without spending a 
LARGE amount of time understanding the code. There are also substantial system 
dependencies - the exact location of X libraries, the exact version of the 
window manager - the list goes on. Having failed to get a fully functional 
compilation, I am about to give up on GRASS, because I cannot afford the time 
that it would take to make it work from source code. If someone were to offer me 
a binary version, that I could install fairly simply, I would take it up. Any 
offers? I am running OSF/1 version 2 on a Decstation 3000 AXP, with Motif ( 
whatever the current version is).

Paul Cooper