If you were pulling from github and compiling yourself, it was probably looki for 'mygolded.h', which per the first step of the compile instructions you ne to edit 'mygolded.__h' to personalize it, and rename it to 'mygolded.h'.

If it were an 'h' file, wouldn't that blow up the compile? /

Also, actually editing the config file and making sure paths and whatever els is correct is also helpful, as it may not successfully run with the default config.

This is on linux. I didn't use the default config, I did change it.

Seeing as the program doesn't even give a message to say *which* file is missing -- I suspect the message I am getting is the OS's default reaction
to a condition code -- it doesn't make me really want to use the program.
One of the first things I learned as a programmer is that if you have an
error opening a file you need to tell the user/operator which file it is
that is the problem -- make them search for it and you are getting called
in the middle of the night. ;)

Mike
---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Hey Mike!

On Sat, Mar 07 2026 12:08:00 -0600, you wrote:

If you were pulling from github and compiling yourself, it was
probably looki for 'mygolded.h', which per the first step of the
compile instructions you ne to edit 'mygolded.__h' to personalize
it, and rename it to 'mygolded.h'.

If it were an 'h' file, wouldn't that blow up the compile? /

From golded-plus/docs/building.txt:

"Now go to golded3 and copy mygolded.__h to mygolded.h and adjust it for yourself (put your name, FTN address and e-mail). Goto root again."

Question it all you want, it is the first step you should do before compiling, per the instructions.

This is on linux. I didn't use the default config, I did change it.

Seeing as the program doesn't even give a message to say *which*
file is missing -- I suspect the message I am getting is the OS's
default reaction to a condition code -- it doesn't make me really
want to use the program. One of the first things I learned as a
programmer is that if you have an error opening a file you need to
tell the user/operator which file it is that is the problem -- make
them search for it and you are getting called in the middle of the
night. ;)

It most likely does give a message, but I think it clears the screen before you can see it (since this was originally made long before /fast computers/). Try piping your command to a text file to try and capture what it says.

Otherwise, if you don't want to use the program.. don't. It works just fine on other systems, including mine *shrug*. I'm just giving you the information you need (and I've gained) to get it to compile and run properly. Please don't shoot the messenger.

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm, because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/700)

If it were an 'h' file, wouldn't that blow up the compile? /

From golded-plus/docs/building.txt:

"Now go to golded3 and copy mygolded.__h to mygolded.h and adjust it for yourself (put your name, FTN address and e-mail). Goto root again."

Question it all you want, it is the first step you should do before compiling per the instructions.

uhhh, I wasn't questioning that it might need doing, if you are compiling
the code, but I am questioning "wouldn't it blow up the compile?" which,
if mygolded.h is a required file, I am 100% certain that it would.

I didn't compile code, I got the recent pre-compiled *.deb so that ain't
my problem.

Otherwise, if you don't want to use the program.. don't. It works just fine o other systems, including mine *shrug*. I'm just giving you the information yo need (and I've gained) to get it to compile and run properly. Please don't shoot the messenger.

I wasn't so I am not sure where you got that idea. I only questioned
"wouldn't it blow up the compile" if you didn't follow the instructions.
Since I already have a binary, I either got it compiled or I got the
binaries. Would have thought that much was obvious, since I was
complaining about golded not giving a proper error message -- which it did
not here.

Installed it on another machine... it complained about a library being
missing - libncurses. The machine in question has two versions, 4 and 5 including -dev for each, installed and other programs that need it find it fine, including one I recently did compile.

My impression is that it is POS-ware and I don't need to bother with it.

Mike
---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Hello MIKE!

09 Mar 26 07:36, you wrote to ACCESSION:

From golded-plus/docs/building.txt:

"Now go to golded3 and copy mygolded.__h to mygolded.h and adjust it
for yourself (put your name, FTN address and e-mail). Goto root
again."

Question it all you want, it is the first step you should do before
compiling per the instructions.

uhhh, I wasn't questioning that it might need doing, if you are
compiling the code, but I am questioning "wouldn't it blow up the compile?" which, if mygolded.h is a required file, I am 100% certain
that it would.

when compiling Golded, if the above steps are not performed it does complain about the missing file.

If someone can't read the "buiding.txt" file, witch states what to do. Then that is not the fault of the package.


Vorlon


--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: Dragon's Lair ---:- dragon.vk3heg.net -:--- Prt: 6800 (21:1/195)

Hey Mike!

On Mon, Mar 09 2026 02:36:00 -0500, you wrote:

uhhh, I wasn't questioning that it might need doing, if you are
compiling the code, but I am questioning "wouldn't it blow up the
compile?" which, if mygolded.h is a required file, I am 100% certain
that it would.

The compile would stop (gracefully), letting you know that that file can not be found. Nothing would "blow up".

I didn't compile code, I got the recent pre-compiled *.deb so that
ain't my problem.

That is definitely your problem (using pre-compiled and probably outdated .deb packages created on a system that differs from your own). When was the .deb package created? With what kernel? With what version of ncurses?

Would have thought that much was
obvious, since I was complaining about golded not giving a proper
error message -- which it did not here.

Not really that obvious, but now that you've finally mentioned a .deb package, I figured I could let you in on a little secret: There is no "officially" supported .deb package for this program that I know of.

Installed it on another machine... it complained about a library
being missing - libncurses. The machine in question has two
versions, 4 and 5 including -dev for each, installed and other
programs that need it find it fine, including one I recently did
compile.

Guessing this .deb package was created using static (or very old) libraries or something. Which could mean it might not work on many other systems, unless they were installed exactly the same as the original system that compiled it.

My impression is that it is POS-ware and I don't need to bother with
it.

Yet you use old DOS offline QWK readers that cut off original subject lines. I assumed you loved POS-ware!

Either way, if it's a .deb package created many moons ago, I'd probably agree that what you're trying to install is POS-ware. The current code in git is dated early-mid 2025, and works just fine if you follow the instructions that come with it, rather than using some third party .deb package. I just skimmed through the source and there is no .deb package included in it. As a matter of fact, there is a "debian" directory in there, which includes a "changelog" that is dated 2009. So I'm guessing that idea went out the window and things related to it were removed a long time ago.

You could try pulling it from git (the normal way to "install" it), reading and following "building.txt" (which even mentions the prerequisites that are needed to install beforehand) and "installing" it on your own system. Then you could come back here and tell us all how easy it was to do. ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm, because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/700)

Hey Vorlon!

On Mon, Mar 09 2026 18:33:02 -0500, you wrote:

If someone can't read the "buiding.txt" file, witch states what to
do. Then that is not the fault of the package.

No way. It's crap because instructions aren't needed and we try to install via an old unsupported .deb package! :D

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm, because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/700)

On 09 Mar 2026, Accession said the following...

Not really that obvious, but now that you've finally mentioned a .deb package, I figured I could let you in on a little secret: There is no "officially" supported .deb package for this program that I know of.

https://github.com/golded-plus/golded-plus/releases

not really sure who this 'dukelsky' fellow is, but i could see confusing this with being 'official'.

could probably send a message on github asking for those to be removed if they cause people (and those who support them) problems..

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (21:1/616)

Hello Accession!

09 Mar 26 19:18, you wrote to me:

On Mon, Mar 09 2026 18:33:02 -0500, you wrote:

If someone can't read the "buiding.txt" file, witch states what to
do. Then that is not the fault of the package.

No way. It's crap because instructions aren't needed and we try to
install via an old unsupported .deb package! :D

It must be so crap that a lot of sysop's use it every day!




I want my money back.........





Vorlon


--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: Dragon's Lair ---:- dragon.vk3heg.net -:--- Prt: 6800 (21:1/195)

³ You could try pulling it from git (the normal way to "install" it), reading and
³ following "building.txt" (which even mentions the prerequisites that are needed
³ to install beforehand) and "installing" it on your own system. Then you could ³ come back here and tell us all how easy it was to do. ;)
ÀÄ[A=>MP]

That still wouldn't fix the original issue... that it abends with a file
not found error and does't say which one.

Attempting to reinstall a program "the right way" that doesn't give proper error messages is a waste of time. No thanks.

##Mmr 2.61á. !link A 3-09-26 19:14
---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

³ Ac> Not really that obvious, but now that you've finally mentioned a .deb
³ Ac> package, I figured I could let you in on a little secret: There is no
³ Ac> "officially" supported .deb package for this program that I know of.
³
³ https://github.com/golded-plus/golded-plus/releases
³
³ not really sure who this 'dukelsky' fellow is, but i could see confusing this ³ with being 'official'.
³
³ could probably send a message on github asking for those to be removed if they
³ cause people (and those who support them) problems..
ÀÄ[F=>A]

Thank you for not jumping to conclusions.

When I search for golded that is the git that comes up.

##Mmr 2.61á. !link F 3-09-26 20:59
---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

³ when compiling Golded, if the above steps are not performed it does complain ³ about the missing file.
³
³ If someone can't read the "buiding.txt" file, witch states what to do. Then
³ that is not the fault of the package.
ÀÄ[V=>MP]

The problem is that Nick assumed I was building it, assumed that I didn't follow directions, and yet somehow magically wound up with a binary file to run.

In the message you responded to, I was questioning how that was even
possible.

Thank you for confirming that this is indeed not possible. ;)

##Mmr 2.61á. !link V 3-10-26 10:33
---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Hey Fusion!

On Mon, Mar 09 2026 19:59:42 -0500, you wrote:

https://github.com/golded-plus/golded-plus/releases

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't use something dated 2018 when the sources were last updated in 2025. ;)

not really sure who this 'dukelsky' fellow is, but i could see
confusing this with being 'official'.

Michael Dukelsky, one of the last maintainers of Golded who, if I remember right, has left the hobby. I think there might be only one "active" maintainer left, and he's been busy with other things. Vitaliy, I believe his name is.

could probably send a message on github asking for those to be
removed if they cause people (and those who support them) problems..

Yep, definitely could! I use the source and follow docs/building.txt without issue.

If someone has issues with an outdated .deb package and they don't care to report it, but instead would rather shake their fist, call it names and scream at the sky, it's not really my problem. ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm, because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/700)

Hey Vorlon!

On Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:11:02 +1100, you wrote:

It must be so crap that a lot of sysop's use it every day!

C'mon. It's so crap sysops that have been using it for decades just shouldn't use it!

I want my money back.........

You paid? ;)

--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409

Well, would you look at that. Looks a lot like my tearline!

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/200)

Hey MIKE!

On Tue, 10 Mar 2026 08:35:00 +0000, you wrote:

That still wouldn't fix the original issue... that it abends with a file
not found error and does't say which one.

Compiling the latest code very well might fix your original issue.

Attempting to reinstall a program "the right way" that doesn't give
proper error messages is a waste of time. No thanks.

Your choice. You being stubborn and arguing about this for days when you could easily have a working program had you listened was also a waste of time. You're right, though. Everyone else is wrong (the tearline tells the tale wonderfully).

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/200)

Your choice. You being stubborn and arguing about this for days when you coul easily have a working program had you listened was also a waste of time. You' right, though. Everyone else is wrong (the tearline tells the tale wonderfully).

This conversation has continued not because I want it to, but because you
keep busting my balls about it. I even told you in the message you replied
to that I was no longer looking at using Golded so that should tell you we
are long past the end of it, but you keep it going... not just with this message, but with jabs at me in other messages.

If it isn't "your problem," why do *you* keep it going?

So yeah, in this case, we have reached the point where, despite whatever initial mistake I did make (missing a files somewhere), we have long passed where I am the one in the wrong, and have got to he point where it is the person who has kept the dead subject going... and that'd be you.

---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Hey MIKE!

On Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:17:00 +0000, you wrote:

This conversation has continued not because I want it to, but because
you keep busting my balls about it. I even told you in the message you replied to that I was no longer looking at using Golded so that should
tell you we are long past the end of it, but you keep it going... not
just with this message, but with jabs at me in other messages.

You were publicly stating that the software doesn't work, and is "POS-ware". I'm simply defending said software that many sysops have (and currently still use) used for decades just fine. When you finally admitted you installed an 8 year old .deb package, the correct instructions were given to you to install it correctly. You didn't want to do that.

Calling software a POS in a public forum just because it doesn't work for you, without actually seeking help to get it working.. while it works for many others, isn't good for the software, and is pretty immature on your part.

In other words, don't shit on other people's work just because it didn't work for you. If you still feel the need anyway, be prepared to be replied to. *shrug*

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (21:1/200)