[bug-inetutils] Re: route

[Richard M. Stallman]

    While it is true that somethings become easier when using a library,
    some don't.  We cannot possibly know if the author intends to support
    legacy GNU/Liniux systems.  Nor do we know if the API will be stable,
    I did a quick check and it seems that libnl has only existed since
    late 2007 (this was when the git tree was created, maybe it dates back
    to before that?).  If the library is that new, we definitly cannot
    depend on it for core functionality.  

The general principles you've cited are valid, but we have
to apply them based on the specific facts.

For instance, given that the GNOME NetworkManager depends on it, there
will be lots of pressure to maintain libnl on all distros and support
old versions.  I think we can take it as given that that will be done.