Binary incompatibility of Linux distributions

[Derek Broughton]

Matt Harrison wrote:

> So Marc, by your logic if I am running a Windows program under Linux, the
> Windows program should know that I am not in Windows and adjust itself
> accordingly?
> 
> Nautilus is designed for Gnome and functions like it would under Gnome. 
> You can set it to run under other GUI's, but you have to set options to
> make it
> know that it is not under Gnome.  This does not make it a bug, it makes it
> a non-KDE native program that requires options to make it work under KDE
> without the Gnome defaults.

I've watched this fight with interest, because I don't use Gnome and 
wouldn't dream of using Nautilus, but I'd have to say I agree with Marc.  
You're asking the wrong question here.

If I run a Windows program under Linux, it _should_ (not that I would _ever_ 
expect it) establish whether the infrastructure to accomplish something 
exists before trying it.  Really, Gnome's file manager should not be trying 
to modify the desktop when it isn't running _in_ Gnome.
-- 
derek