Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 16:14:28 -0500 (EST)
From: Brett Viren <bviren@superk.physics.sunysb.edu>
To: lwn@eklektix.com
Subject: Netscape+bash2: alternative solution

Hi.

On http://www.eklektix.com/lwn/, I read:

	If you see these errors from Netscape Communicator 4.04: 

	sh: -c line 1: missing closing `)' for arthmetic expression sh: -1
	line 1: syntax error near unexpected token `;' sh: -c line 1:
	`((/usr/local/bin/rvplayer /tmp/MO34B2F4B209B0136.ram); rm /tmp/\
	MO34B2F4B209B0136.ram )&'

You suggest upgrading `bash'. Another solution is to use `emacs' to
edit the netscape executable:

Search for `` rm '' (C-s SPACE r m SPACE). You should find a segment that
looks like:

	MO^@((^@cat %s | ^@); rm %.200s )

edit it to look like:

	MO^@( (^@cat %s| ^@); rm %.200s )

Note that there is now a space between the first two parens and no
space between the %s and the pipe (`|'). The insertion of the first
space makes `bash' happy and the deletion of the secon space keeps the 
netscape binary the same size (else it won't run).

Obviously, it is probably better to upgrade `bash', but this method is
certainly easier and quicker (and funner). 

-Brett.