[ros-kernel] Would it be feasible to use automake/autoconf?

[Daniel Benoy]

I just discovered the ROS project and I was very excited to start playing with 
it, but compiling the source was messy and unpleasant.  I wonder if it's 
feasible to get the ROS source using automake/autoconf so it can have a 
traditional ./configure script.

Assuming it's done with the proper care, it would vastly increase the 
simplicity of the compilation process.. (and goodness knows how many 
developers out there wern't as patient as I, and simply left the project 
before even joining)

Would such a scheme cause problems for developing under windows?  Are there 
other problems I don't see?