I am trying to compile Nethack on my computer, for patching purposes, and it seems to be going well. The only problem I have run up against is the fact that curses.h is AWOL. Correct me if I am wrong, but this is a standard part of a base system, and definitely should be installed. I have as yet been unable to find it online at packages.ubuntu.com, but it should appear on the CD, yes? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Why not install nethack with apt-get or synaptic? Then all dependencies will be installed along with the preferred program.

Three reasons I didn't just apt-get it:
1) That's a pansy's way of doing it! Real men compile it from sources!
2)I wanted to use some patches I'd heard about on rec.games.roguelike.nethack, and it's mighty difficult to apply patches to a binary, dontcherknow?
3) Due to blatant and morbid stupidity, I am unable to access the internet while I run Linux, due to the fact I have a winmodem. This will be remedied ASAP.

Before you ask your next question, I can download a package on a different computer, transfer it to mine, dpkg -i et voilá! No dependencies, but it works well enough most of the time.

I have an idea I'll try. p.u.c lists the dependencies for each package, so if I install the dependencies for nethack as listed there, it should work A-OK. Maybe.