I wonder if there is a Linux specific mailing list or news group dedicated to discussing programming issues. comp.unix.programming doesn't seem quite appropriate (although I have seen some Linux issues raised there).
Alternatively, if someone on this list is able to help with a small daemon programe (1.5K gzipped) I would be extremely grateful. FYI, the programme is mostly complete except for one little bug which has evaded me for quite some time. TIA Ivan (who might get drunk tonight and realise that the pain of programming is all too much)