Distributing Linux Software

[Tim Callaghan]

I'm trying to get a better understanding of how other companies
distribute their Linux shared libraries.  My company plans on
supporting as many Linux versions/distros as possible.

I'd love to hear peoples experiences (good and bad) in producing and
consuming Linux software that isn't part of a package (.deb or .rpm).
I am concerned that when I currently compile our application on Ubuntu
9.10, the application does not work on Ubuntu 9.04.  However, I can
compile on CentOS 5.4 and run on Ubuntu 9.04 and Ubuntu 9.10.

Are there any good websites or resources to further my research?

TIA

-Tim