Well, I’m three days in to trying to compile and install the latest version of MapGuide OpenSource on Ubuntu Dapper Drake and it’s quite hard going. Maybe it’s just naivety on my part, but I’m constantly amazed at how many other packages are required, that are not in the documentation, before the various components will install. It’s not the first time I’ve done this either, as I tried it on Suse 9 and Fedora 4 last year and I had the same problem then. I wonder if sometimes the developers forget that relative n00bs like me might have clean systems, without all the extra libraries installed.

Anyhow, once I finally get through it (if it’s even possible…) I’ll post some updated instructions and pointers to try and make the process a little easier in future, both for me and others. At the moment it has failed again, so I’ve had to admit defeat and ask on the mailing list. Hopefully I’ll make some progress tomorrow…