However, I switched to 64bit Linux some time ago now. After emailing OpenText to see if they will be compiling a 64 bit version and receiving a positive negative, I’ve discovered a quick and simple way to get it working without leaving a mess of libraries.

The only problem (at least on Ubuntu 8.04) seems to be the Qt libraries. Luckily FirstClass doesn’t just look in /usr/lib/ for these, it also has a nose around /usr/lib32 (a directory that appears automatically in Ubuntu 64 bit after installing Flash player, the only other 32bit app I use). If it isn’t there, simply:

sudo mkdir /usr/lib32

Next we need the .deb package for the 32bit libqtmt libraries. Head over to http://packages.ubuntu.com/hardy/i386/libqt3-mt/download and choose a mirror, saving the deb somewhere obvious, Desktop will do. Using Archive Manager instead of Gdebi package installer, crack open the deb and navigate through the data folder to the lib folder. Drag and drop the lib folder on your desktop (this should extract it) and issue:

sudo cp -R /home/$your_username/Desktop/lib/* /usr/lib32/

That’s it! FirstClass still bitches a little when you fire it up from the terminal, but seems to work flawlessly inspite of that. Pity it’s such an ugly resource hog, but you can’t have everything.