Need help porting math software

[Balbir Thomas <thomas.1037@osu.edu>]

Hi,
I am trying to compile the CONTENT package (a dynamical systems tool) on debian . The source code can be downloaded from 

ftp://ftp.cwi.nl/pub/CONTENT

As such the package does not install nor compile on debian. I was able to obtain very helpfull insight into the problem from 

www.amath.washington.edu/~mmartin/software/port/

The author of this site describes how he ported the software to Mandrake 7.0 (see files mandrake7.0_port and mandrake7.0_inst ) . This helped in compiling the software on debian 2.2r2 (kernel 2.2.19, glibc2) . However during the last step , while running "setup" I get the following error :

    Name:
	        Class: XmRowColumn
            Parent refused resize request. 
			Second XtMakeGeometryRequest() failed            
			Parent is  (XmMainWindow)
		    Original request w 10 h 10 bw 0, Second request w 574 h 10 bw 0
		    Parent size 583 743

Though I am able to run the compiled "content" , it is unable to perform symbolic differentiation . I suspect this is in some way related to the same error. 

I would be grateful if someone could give me a pointer or two on what is going on and how may I work around it . Please note I am no linux programming expert, though I am in the process of reading "Begining linux programming " . I would therefore appreciate an explaination in plain english :-).

BTW : This software does not seem to come with any license . If someone could port it, one might be able to persuade the author to GPL it , and add to the vast stock of debian applications.

PS : I could mail a copy of the strace output for the faulting "setup" program , but I think it may not pass through the debian mail filter as it is 600kb in size. 

Sincerely
B Thomas