>> the original point was that it doesn't matter whether you can >> see the source or not, the effect is the same - failure to deal >> with complexity results in an inability to simply compile a >> working programme on new hardware running the same O/S and have >> it work. instead, hacks are done and baggage is carried around >> to keep the old binary working. > > Yep, anyone who's ever tried to use FreeBSD ports on x86-64 platforms > as 64bit applications.
wouldn't a VM be a viable option, since we're talking about one processor family? those cantankerous applications, that don't port easily, can be run under qemu/xen/etc. with appropriate os. everything old is new again.
