> The only thing they more or less do is to pin an old executable to old library versions, and you can supposedly install a newer version of the library. You th

> The only thing they more or less do is to pin an old executable to old library versions, and you can supposedly install a newer version of the library. You then save a little bit of disk space. You also then can remove the old library file and only have to maintain one for security purposes. If you have old library versions around, especially in a packaged environment like most Linux distros, then the old code will sit there and potentially no one will be paying attention to it anymore. If you're lucky you'll have some security software (e.g., Nessus, OpenVAS) tell you there's a bug/exploit in it. If you have only one maintained version of the library installed, with the old symbols embedded, then it's more likely to be paid attention to.