I am mailing this just to make the workaround known to other users. When compiling subversion 1.8.1 or 1.8.3 from apache's source package, "configure --with-serf=/usr/local/serf" is not enough to use a specific serf version. Not if another version was installed as debian packages.
Workaround: Uninstall the debian packages, then do "make install" again. Symptom: "make install" fails with: cd subversion/libsvn_ra_serf ; [...] libtool: install: warning: relinking `libsvn_ra_serf-1.la' [...] .libs/util.o: In function `setup_serf_req': [...]/subversion-1.8.3/subversion/libsvn_ra_serf/util.c:760: undefined reference to `serf_bucket_request_set_CL' [...]/subversion-1.8.3/subversion/libsvn_ra_serf/util.c:758: undefined reference to `serf_bucket_request_set_CL' collect2: ld returned 1 exit status libtool: install: error: relink `libsvn_ra_serf-1.la' with the above command before installing it make: *** [install-serf-lib] Fehler 1 ("Fehler" is German for "Error") Tested with Ubuntu 12.04 x64 and the distribution's standart libserf1 and libserf-dev packages. :::::::::::::::::::: Klaus Thorn IT Administrator klaus.th...@noumenastudios.com :::::::::::::::::::: Noumena Studios GmbH part of kalypso media group Lützowstraße 33 10785 Berlin Germany http://www.noumenastudios.com http://www.kalypsomedia.com CEO/Geschäftsführer: Stefan Marcinek Commercial register of the local court / Registergericht: HRB 129507 B VAT identification number / Ust-Id.Nr.: DE274058087 :::::::::::::::::::: This e-mail is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. Noumena Studios is unable to control the content transmitted via the Internet. Noumena Studios hereby excludes any written or implied warranty as to the accuracy of any information contained in this message and any liability of any kind for the information contained, therein, or for its transmission, reception, storage or usage in any way