I recently upgraded my ConTeXt, which is calling for an updated pdftex as well: % texexec test-4.tex Use of uninitialized value in string eq at /usr/people/pm/bin/texexec line 344. Use of uninitialized value in string eq at /usr/people/pm/bin/texexec line 348. Use of uninitialized value in string eq at /usr/people/pm/bin/texexec line 348. TeXExec 5.2.4 - ConTeXt / PRAGMA ADE 1997-2005 executable : pdfetex format : cont-en inputfile : test-4 output : pdftex interface : en current mode : none TeX run : 1 This is pdfeTeX, Version 3.14159-1.10b-2.1 (Web2C 7.4.5) entering extended mode (./test-4.tex{/usr/freeware/share/texmf/pdftex/config/pdftex.cfg} ConTeXt ver: 2005.01.26 fmt: 2005.1.30 int: english mes: english systems : pdfTeX version 110 -> please update systems : eTeX version 201 -> too old (bugs) I downloaded pdftex 1.20b and tried to build from source, but no matter what syntax I try, whether as root or as an ordinary user, I fail to get pdftex to recognize the main texmf tree: I'm doing % ./Build --datadir=/usr/freeware/share and I get configure: warning: The main texmf tree was not found at /usr/local/teTeX/share/texmf. ***************************************************************** * Error: The main texmf tree was not found. * * Use the --datadir option to specify its parent directory. * * If you do not have the files, you should be able to them from * * the same place you got these sources from, or from one of the * * CTAN hosts. * ***************************************************************** Winging it by pretending /usr/local/teTeX/share/texmf is correct. so pdftex is configured --without-[pretty much everything] I posted to the pdftex ml a few days ago, but, I guess, not being a subscriber, messages are not posted to the list, so I thought to ask here. My ConTeXt is in my ~/texmf tree, and if it's possible not to install an entirely new tex system, that would be preferable. Also, the are the "Use of unitialized string value..." messages related to this problem?. I had difficulties when trying to update ConTeXt about a month ago because of the old perl that was on my system, so I've recently updated to 5.8. Thanks very much for any suggestions, Peter --