I'll comment on this specific case: I don't believe it's possible to compile kdelibs without arts. So the problem is in the software (if it is a problem at all) rather than in portage's handling of the software.
Actually, with KDE 3.2, it is possible. I may not be an X person, but last time I tried KDE 3.2 when it was in beta, the configure scripts supported a --without-arts line, and I partially hacked the KDE eclasses to pass this. I managed to get kdelibs and kdebase built w/o arts, and it ran fine. kdegames was another matter -- kasteroids still doesn't honor the --without-arts configure flag (probably just needs some tweaking to its Makefile to fix this).
I recommend the KDE team look into the --without-arts parameter for KDE 3.2, and consider implementing it for the -arts USE flag.
--Kumba
--
"Such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere." --Elrond
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