i tried the patch against 0.5.0, ran configure, and then make gave this:
...
util.c: In function `simple_dialog':
util.c:123: warning: implicit declaration of function `vsnprintf'
gcc -Wall -g -O2 -I/usr/X11R6/include -I/usr/lib/glib/include -o ethereal capture.o column.o ethereal.o ethertype.o file.o filter.o follow.o menu.o packet.o packet-aarp.o packet-arp.o packet-atalk.o packet-bootp.o packet-data.o packet-dns.o packet-eth.o packet-fddi.o packet-giop.o packet-llc.o packet-lpd.o packet-ip.o packet-ipv6.o packet-ipx.o packet-nbipx.o packet-nbns.o packet-ncp.o packet-null.o packet-osi.o packet-ospf.o packet-ppp.o packet-raw.o packet-rip.o packet-tcp.o packet-tr.o packet-trmac.o packet-udp.o packet-vines.o prefs.o print.o ps.o resolv.o util.o -lpcap -L/usr/lib -L/usr/X11R6/lib -lgtk -lgdk -rdynamic -lgmodule -lglib -ldl -lXi -lXext -lX11 -lm
ethereal.o: In function `main':
/home/sen/test/programs/ethereal-0.5.0/ethereal.c:600: undefined reference to `gtk_scrolled_window_add_with_viewport'
make: *** [ethereal] Error 1
perhaps my gtk 1.1.x is too 'young'?
