Static libraries are a potentially bigger problem when your library is tightly coupled to a particular version of some other process (eg an X windows server).

Static libraries are a potentially bigger problem when your library is tightly coupled to a particular version of some other process (eg an X windows server). The real distinction in my view is between tightly coupled components and loosely coupled ones. Loosely coupled as a design paradigm is harder to design and maintain for the programmer and in some cases has a performance impact, but a lot nicer for the admin and feels ‘cleaner’ to me, at least.