diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 29897ef4e..3e2b3ef18 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -22,37 +22,112 @@
 #--------------------------------------------------------------
 noconfig_targets := menuconfig config oldconfig randconfig \
 	defconfig allyesconfig allnoconfig clean distclean \
-	release tags
-TOPDIR=./
-include Rules.mak
+	release tags  
+
+ifndef TOPDIR
+TOPDIR=$(CURDIR)/
+endif
+ifndef top_srcdir
+top_srcdir=$(CURDIR)
+endif
+ifndef top_builddir
+top_builddir=$(CURDIR)
+endif
+
+srctree=$(top_srcdir)
+vpath %/Config.in $(srctree)
+
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
 
 DIRS:=applets archival archival/libunarchive coreutils console-tools \
 	debianutils editors findutils init miscutils modutils networking \
 	networking/libiproute networking/udhcp procps loginutils shell \
 	sysklogd util-linux libpwdgrp coreutils/libcoreutils libbb
 
+SRC_DIRS:=$(patsubst %,$(top_srcdir)/%,$(DIRS))
+
 ifeq ($(strip $(CONFIG_SELINUX)),y)
 CFLAGS += -I/usr/include/selinux
 LIBRARIES += -lsecure
 endif
 
-CONFIG_CONFIG_IN = sysdeps/$(TARGET_OS)/Config.in
-CONFIG_DEFCONFIG = sysdeps/$(TARGET_OS)/defconfig
+CONFIG_CONFIG_IN = $(top_srcdir)/sysdeps/$(TARGET_OS)/Config.in
+CONFIG_DEFCONFIG = $(top_srcdir)/sysdeps/$(TARGET_OS)/defconfig
+
+ALL_DIRS:= $(DIRS) scripts/config
+ALL_MAKEFILES:=$(patsubst %,%/Makefile,$(ALL_DIRS))
+
+ifeq ($(KBUILD_SRC),)
+
+ifdef O
+  ifeq ("$(origin O)", "command line")
+    KBUILD_OUTPUT := $(O)
+  endif
+endif
+
+# That's our default target when none is given on the command line
+.PHONY: _all
+_all:
+
+ifneq ($(KBUILD_OUTPUT),)
+# Invoke a second make in the output directory, passing relevant variables
+# check that the output directory actually exists
+saved-output := $(KBUILD_OUTPUT)
+KBUILD_OUTPUT := $(shell cd $(KBUILD_OUTPUT) && /bin/pwd)
+$(if $(wildcard $(KBUILD_OUTPUT)),, \
+     $(error output directory "$(saved-output)" does not exist))
+
+.PHONY: $(MAKECMDGOALS)
+
+$(filter-out _all,$(MAKECMDGOALS)) _all: $(KBUILD_OUTPUT)/Rules.mak $(KBUILD_OUTPUT)/Makefile
+	$(MAKE) -C $(KBUILD_OUTPUT) \
+	top_srcdir=$(CURDIR) \
+	top_builddir=$(KBUILD_OUTPUT) \
+	TOPDIR=$(KBUILD_OUTPUT)	\
+	KBUILD_SRC=$(CURDIR) \
+	-f $(CURDIR)/Makefile $@
+
+$(KBUILD_OUTPUT)/Rules.mak:
+	@echo > $@
+	@echo top_srcdir=$(CURDIR) >> $@
+	@echo top_builddir=$(KBUILD_OUTPUT) >> $@
+	@echo include $(top_srcdir)/Rules.mak >> $@
+
+$(KBUILD_OUTPUT)/Makefile:
+	@echo > $@
+	@echo top_srcdir=$(CURDIR) >> $@
+	@echo top_builddir=$(KBUILD_OUTPUT) >> $@
+	@echo KBUILD_SRC='$$(top_srcdir)' >> $@
+	@echo include '$$(KBUILD_SRC)'/Makefile >> $@
+
+# Leave processing to above invocation of make
+skip-makefile := 1
+endif # ifneq ($(KBUILD_OUTPUT),)
+endif # ifeq ($(KBUILD_SRC),)
+
+ifeq ($(skip-makefile),)
+
+_all: all
 
 ifeq ($(strip $(HAVE_DOT_CONFIG)),y)
 
 all: busybox busybox.links doc
 
-# In this section, we need .config
--include .config.cmd
-include $(patsubst %,%/Makefile.in, $(DIRS))
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+all_tree:	$(ALL_MAKEFILES)
 
-busybox: .depend include/config.h $(libraries-y)
+$(ALL_MAKEFILES): %/Makefile: $(top_srcdir)/%/Makefile
+	d=`dirname $@`; [ -d "$$d" ] || mkdir -p "$$d"; cp $< $@
+
+# In this section, we need .config
+-include $(top_builddir)/.config.cmd
+include $(patsubst %,%/Makefile.in, $(SRC_DIRS))
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
+
+busybox: $(ALL_MAKEFILES) .depend include/config.h $(libraries-y)
 	$(CC) $(LDFLAGS) -o $@ -Wl,--start-group $(libraries-y) $(LIBRARIES) -Wl,--end-group
 	$(STRIPCMD) $@
 
-busybox.links: applets/busybox.mkll include/config.h
+busybox.links: $(top_srcdir)/applets/busybox.mkll include/config.h $(top_srcdir)/include/applets.h
 	- $(SHELL) $^ >$@
 
 install: applets/install.sh busybox busybox.links
@@ -75,14 +150,18 @@ uninstall: busybox.links
 install-hardlinks: applets/install.sh busybox busybox.links
 	$(SHELL) $< $(PREFIX) --hardlinks
 
+check: busybox
+	bindir=$(top_builddir) srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/testsuite \
+	$(top_srcdir)/testsuite/runtest
 
 # Documentation Targets
 doc: docs/busybox.pod docs/BusyBox.txt docs/BusyBox.1 docs/BusyBox.html
 
-docs/busybox.pod : docs/busybox_header.pod include/usage.h docs/busybox_footer.pod
-	- ( cat docs/busybox_header.pod; \
-	    docs/autodocifier.pl include/usage.h; \
-	    cat docs/busybox_footer.pod ) > docs/busybox.pod
+docs/busybox.pod : $(top_srcdir)/docs/busybox_header.pod $(top_srcdir)/include/usage.h $(top_srcdir)/docs/busybox_footer.pod
+	-mkdir -p docs
+	- ( cat $(top_srcdir)/docs/busybox_header.pod; \
+	    $(top_srcdir)/docs/autodocifier.pl $(top_srcdir)/include/usage.h; \
+	    cat $(top_srcdir)/docs/busybox_footer.pod ) > docs/busybox.pod
 
 docs/BusyBox.txt: docs/busybox.pod
 	@echo
@@ -99,7 +178,7 @@ docs/BusyBox.1: docs/busybox.pod
 docs/BusyBox.html: docs/busybox.net/BusyBox.html
 	- mkdir -p docs
 	-@ rm -f docs/BusyBox.html
-	-@ ln -s busybox.net/BusyBox.html docs/BusyBox.html
+	-@ cp docs/busybox.net/BusyBox.html docs/BusyBox.html
 
 docs/busybox.net/BusyBox.html: docs/busybox.pod
 	-@ mkdir -p docs/busybox.net
@@ -108,20 +187,19 @@ docs/busybox.net/BusyBox.html: docs/busybox.pod
 	-@ rm -f pod2htm*
 
 # The nifty new buildsystem stuff
-scripts/mkdep: scripts/mkdep.c
-	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -o scripts/mkdep scripts/mkdep.c
+scripts/mkdep: $(top_srcdir)/scripts/mkdep.c
+	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -o $@ $<
 
-scripts/split-include: scripts/split-include.c
-	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -o scripts/split-include scripts/split-include.c
+scripts/split-include: $(top_srcdir)/scripts/split-include.c
+	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -o $@ $<
 
 .depend: scripts/mkdep
 	rm -f .depend .hdepend;
 	mkdir -p include/config;
-	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -o scripts/mkdep scripts/mkdep.c
 	scripts/mkdep -I include -- \
-		`find -name \*.c -print | sed -e "s,^./,,"` >> .depend;
+	  `find $(top_srcdir) -name \*.c -print | sed -e "s,^./,,"` >> .depend;
 	scripts/mkdep -I include -- \
-		`find -name \*.h -print | sed -e "s,^./,,"` >> .hdepend;
+	  `find $(top_srcdir) -name \*.h -print | sed -e "s,^./,,"` >> .hdepend;
 
 depend dep: include/config.h .depend
 
@@ -130,13 +208,10 @@ include/config/MARKER: depend scripts/split-include
 	@ touch include/config/MARKER
 
 include/config.h: .config
-	@if [ ! -x ./scripts/config/conf ] ; then \
+	@if [ ! -x $(top_builddir)/scripts/config/conf ] ; then \
 	    $(MAKE) -C scripts/config conf; \
 	fi;
-	@./scripts/config/conf -o $(CONFIG_CONFIG_IN)
-
-%.o: %.c
-	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+	@$(top_builddir)/scripts/config/conf -o $(CONFIG_CONFIG_IN)
 
 finished2:
 	@echo
@@ -150,12 +225,16 @@ all: menuconfig
 # configuration
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-scripts/config/conf:
+$(ALL_MAKEFILES): %/Makefile: $(top_srcdir)/%/Makefile
+	d=`dirname $@`; [ -d "$$d" ] || mkdir -p "$$d"; cp $< $@
+
+scripts/config/conf: scripts/config/Makefile Rules.mak
 	$(MAKE) -C scripts/config conf
 	-@if [ ! -f .config ] ; then \
 		cp $(CONFIG_DEFCONFIG) .config; \
 	fi
-scripts/config/mconf:
+
+scripts/config/mconf: scripts/config/Makefile Rules.mak
 	$(MAKE) -C scripts/config ncurses conf mconf
 	-@if [ ! -f .config ] ; then \
 		cp $(CONFIG_DEFCONFIG) .config; \
@@ -187,9 +266,6 @@ allnoconfig: scripts/config/conf
 defconfig: scripts/config/conf
 	@./scripts/config/conf -d $(CONFIG_CONFIG_IN)
 
-check: busybox
-	cd testsuite && ./runtest
-
 clean:
 	- rm -f docs/busybox.dvi docs/busybox.ps \
 	    docs/busybox.pod docs/busybox.net/busybox.html \
@@ -232,7 +308,8 @@ tags:
 
 endif # ifeq ($(strip $(HAVE_DOT_CONFIG)),y)
 
+endif # ifeq ($(skip-makefile),)
+
 .PHONY: dummy subdirs release distclean clean config oldconfig \
-	menuconfig tags check test depend
-
+	menuconfig tags check test depend buildtree
 
diff --git a/Rules.mak b/Rules.mak
index 43cf24226..63b80f3a5 100644
--- a/Rules.mak
+++ b/Rules.mak
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ LD             = $(CROSS)ld
 NM             = $(CROSS)nm
 STRIP          = $(CROSS)strip
 CPP            = $(CC) -E
-MAKEFILES      = $(TOPDIR).config
+# MAKEFILES      = $(top_builddir)/.config
 
 # What OS are you compiling busybox for?  This allows you to include
 # OS specific things, syscall overrides, etc.
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ BB_SRC_DIR=
 #GCCINCDIR:=$(shell gcc -print-search-dirs | sed -ne "s/install: \(.*\)/\1include/gp")
 
 WARNINGS=-Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -Wshadow
-CFLAGS=-I$(TOPDIR)include
+CFLAGS=-I$(top_builddir)/include -I$(top_srcdir)/include -I$(srcdir)
 ARFLAGS=-r
 
 #--------------------------------------------------------
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ endif
 
 # Pull in the user's busybox configuration
 ifeq ($(filter $(noconfig_targets),$(MAKECMDGOALS)),)
--include $(TOPDIR).config
+-include $(top_builddir)/.config
 endif
 
 # A nifty macro to make testing gcc features easier
@@ -189,12 +189,8 @@ endif
 # have a chance of winning.
 CFLAGS += $(CFLAGS_EXTRA)
 
-%.o: %.c
-	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
-
 .PHONY: dummy
 
 
-
 .EXPORT_ALL_VARIABLES:
 
diff --git a/applets/Makefile b/applets/Makefile
index 5f9167442..b566e4d12 100644
--- a/applets/Makefile
+++ b/applets/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/applets
 APPLETS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir).depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/applets/Makefile.in b/applets/Makefile.in
index afd5cbeb9..e31bb6fd9 100644
--- a/applets/Makefile.in
+++ b/applets/Makefile.in
@@ -19,18 +19,19 @@
 
 APPLETS_AR:=applets.a
 ifndef $(APPLETS_DIR)
-APPLETS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)applets/
+APPLETS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/applets/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/applets
 
 APPLET_SRC:=applets.c busybox.c
 APPLET_OBJ:= $(patsubst %.c,$(APPLETS_DIR)%.o, $(APPLET_SRC))
 
-
-
 libraries-y+=$(APPLETS_DIR)$(APPLETS_AR)
 
-$(APPLET_OBJ): $(TOPDIR).config
-
 $(APPLETS_DIR)$(APPLETS_AR): $(APPLET_OBJ)
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(APPLET_OBJ)
 
+$(APPLET_OBJ): $(top_builddir)/.config
+$(APPLET_OBJ): $(APPLETS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/archival/Makefile b/archival/Makefile
index 1cbe7ee00..a96daa4df 100644
--- a/archival/Makefile
+++ b/archival/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
 ARCHIVAL_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/archival
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/archival/Makefile.in b/archival/Makefile.in
index 1673662f9..76ab6cd08 100644
--- a/archival/Makefile.in
+++ b/archival/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 ARCHIVAL_AR:=archival.a
 ifndef $(ARCHIVAL_DIR)
-ARCHIVAL_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)archival/
+ARCHIVAL_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/archival/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/archival
 
 ARCHIVAL-y:=
 ARCHIVAL-$(CONFIG_APT_GET)	+=
@@ -42,3 +43,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(ARCHIVAL_DIR)$(ARCHIVAL_AR)
 $(ARCHIVAL_DIR)$(ARCHIVAL_AR): $(patsubst %,$(ARCHIVAL_DIR)%, $(ARCHIVAL-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(ARCHIVAL_DIR)%, $(ARCHIVAL-y))
 
+$(ARCHIVAL_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/archival/libunarchive/Makefile b/archival/libunarchive/Makefile
index 9a20ea28b..e985fa49f 100644
--- a/archival/libunarchive/Makefile
+++ b/archival/libunarchive/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../../
+top_srcdir=../..
+top_builddir=../..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/archival/libunarchive
 LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/archival/libunarchive/Makefile.in b/archival/libunarchive/Makefile.in
index 5cf5efa33..809b0e10e 100644
--- a/archival/libunarchive/Makefile.in
+++ b/archival/libunarchive/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 LIBUNARCHIVE_AR:=libunarchive.a
 ifndef $(LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR)
-LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)archival/libunarchive/
+LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/archival/libunarchive/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/archvial/libunarchive
 
 LIBUNARCHIVE-y:= \
 \
@@ -78,3 +79,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR)$(LIBUNARCHIVE_AR)
 $(LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR)$(LIBUNARCHIVE_AR): $(patsubst %,$(LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR)%, $(LIBUNARCHIVE-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(LIBUNARCHIVE_DIR)%, $(LIBUNARCHIVE-y))
 
+$(LIBUNARCHIVA_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/console-tools/Makefile b/console-tools/Makefile
index 2ee51a5e6..42cf2c8c3 100644
--- a/console-tools/Makefile
+++ b/console-tools/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/console/tools
 CONSOLETOOLS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/console-tools/Makefile.in b/console-tools/Makefile.in
index 1d756c721..b19ce5cb2 100644
--- a/console-tools/Makefile.in
+++ b/console-tools/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 CONSOLETOOLS_AR:=console-tools.a
 ifndef $(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR)
-CONSOLETOOLS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)console-tools/
+CONSOLETOOLS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/console-tools/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/console-tools
 
 CONSOLETOOLS_DIR-y:=
 CONSOLETOOLS_DIR-$(CONFIG_CHVT)		+= chvt.o
@@ -38,3 +39,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR)$(CONSOLETOOLS_AR)
 $(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR)$(CONSOLETOOLS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR)%, $(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR)%, $(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR-y))
 
+$(CONSOLETOOLS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/coreutils/Makefile b/coreutils/Makefile
index b42689a26..50fdac236 100644
--- a/coreutils/Makefile
+++ b/coreutils/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/coreutils
 SHELLUTILS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/coreutils/Makefile.in b/coreutils/Makefile.in
index a5343c9c7..aacb813b3 100644
--- a/coreutils/Makefile.in
+++ b/coreutils/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 COREUTILS_AR:=coreutils.a
 ifndef $(COREUTILS_DIR)
-COREUTILS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)coreutils/
+COREUTILS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/coreutils/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/coreutils
 
 COREUTILS-y:=
 COREUTILS-$(CONFIG_BASENAME)	+= basename.o
@@ -91,3 +92,7 @@ libraries-y+=$(COREUTILS_DIR)$(COREUTILS_AR)
 
 $(COREUTILS_DIR)$(COREUTILS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(COREUTILS_DIR)%, $(COREUTILS-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(COREUTILS_DIR)%, $(COREUTILS-y))
+
+$(COREUTILS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile b/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile
index 11867c602..0a1c80a41 100644
--- a/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile
+++ b/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,16 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../../
+top_srcdir=../..
+top_builddir=../..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/coreutils/libcoreutils
 LIBCOREUTILS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
+
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile.in b/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile.in
index d0e8b3a05..cf83d7107 100644
--- a/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile.in
+++ b/coreutils/libcoreutils/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 LIBCOREUTILS_AR:=libcoreutils.a
 ifndef $(LIBCOREUTILS_DIR)
-LIBCOREUTILS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)coreutils/libcoreutils/
+LIBCOREUTILS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/coreutils/libcoreutils/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/coreutils/libcoreutils
 
 LIBCOREUTILS_SRC:= cp_mv_stat.c getopt_mk_fifo_nod.c xgetoptfile_sort_uniq.c
 
@@ -30,3 +31,7 @@ libraries-y+=$(LIBCOREUTILS_DIR)$(LIBCOREUTILS_AR)
 
 $(LIBCOREUTILS_DIR)$(LIBCOREUTILS_AR): $(LIBCOREUTILS_OBJS)
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(LIBCOREUTILS_OBJS)
+
+$(LIBCOREUTILS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/debianutils/Makefile b/debianutils/Makefile
index 0282b83c4..10ec1cc58 100644
--- a/debianutils/Makefile
+++ b/debianutils/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/debianutils
 DEBIANUTILS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/debianutils/Makefile.in b/debianutils/Makefile.in
index dabef27ef..3a204033e 100644
--- a/debianutils/Makefile.in
+++ b/debianutils/Makefile.in
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@
 
 DEBIANUTILS_AR:=debianutils.a
 ifndef $(DEBIANUTILS_DIR)
-DEBIANUTILS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)debianutils/
+DEBIANUTILS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/debianutils/
 endif
-
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/debianutils
 
 DEBIANUTILS-y:=
 DEBIANUTILS-$(CONFIG_MKTEMP)		+= mktemp.o
@@ -36,3 +36,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(DEBIANUTILS_DIR)$(DEBIANUTILS_AR)
 $(DEBIANUTILS_DIR)$(DEBIANUTILS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(DEBIANUTILS_DIR)%, $(DEBIANUTILS-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(DEBIANUTILS_DIR)%, $(DEBIANUTILS-y))
 
+$(DEBIANUTILS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/editors/Makefile b/editors/Makefile
index 1c8223124..e6c114781 100644
--- a/editors/Makefile
+++ b/editors/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/editors
 EDITOR_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/editors/Makefile.in b/editors/Makefile.in
index 017f30934..571e05568 100644
--- a/editors/Makefile.in
+++ b/editors/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 EDITOR_AR:=editors.a
 ifndef $(EDITOR_DIR)
-EDITOR_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)editors/
+EDITOR_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/editors/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/editors
 
 EDITOR-y:=
 EDITOR-$(CONFIG_AWK)	   += awk.o
@@ -42,3 +43,6 @@ endif
 $(EDITOR_DIR)$(EDITOR_AR): $(patsubst %,$(EDITOR_DIR)%, $(EDITOR-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(EDITOR_DIR)%, $(EDITOR-y))
 
+$(EDITOR_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/findutils/Makefile b/findutils/Makefile
index ba65a0e1d..f3f8bb872 100644
--- a/findutils/Makefile
+++ b/findutils/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/findutils
 FINDUTILS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/findutils/Makefile.in b/findutils/Makefile.in
index 2d2f242a0..ae71070d9 100644
--- a/findutils/Makefile.in
+++ b/findutils/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 FINDUTILS_AR:=findutils.a
 ifndef $(FINDUTILS_DIR)
-FINDUTILS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)findutils/
+FINDUTILS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/findutils/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/findutils
 
 FINDUTILS-y:=
 FINDUTILS-$(CONFIG_FIND)	+= find.o
@@ -32,3 +33,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(FINDUTILS_DIR)$(FINDUTILS_AR)
 $(FINDUTILS_DIR)$(FINDUTILS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(FINDUTILS_DIR)%, $(FINDUTILS-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(FINDUTILS_DIR)%, $(FINDUTILS-y))
 
+$(FINDUTILS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/init/Makefile b/init/Makefile
index d23532735..9b0a1d139 100644
--- a/init/Makefile
+++ b/init/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/init
 INIT_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
-include Makefile.in
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
+include $(srcdir)/Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/init/Makefile.in b/init/Makefile.in
index 6264710db..807259dee 100644
--- a/init/Makefile.in
+++ b/init/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 INIT_AR:=init.a
 ifndef $(INIT_DIR)
-INIT_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)init/
+INIT_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/init/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/init
 
 INIT-y:=
 INIT-$(CONFIG_HALT)			+= halt.o
@@ -56,3 +57,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(INIT_DIR)$(INIT_AR)
 $(INIT_DIR)$(INIT_AR): $(patsubst %,$(INIT_DIR)%, $(INIT-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(INIT_DIR)%, $(INIT-y))
 
+$(INIT_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/libbb/Makefile b/libbb/Makefile
index fbcb12330..e94c05260 100644
--- a/libbb/Makefile
+++ b/libbb/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/libbb
 LIBBB_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/libbb/Makefile.in b/libbb/Makefile.in
index f86664f15..85d4a967b 100644
--- a/libbb/Makefile.in
+++ b/libbb/Makefile.in
@@ -16,12 +16,11 @@
 # along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 
-
-
 LIBBB_AR:=libbb.a
 ifndef $(LIBBB_DIR)
-LIBBB_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)libbb/
+LIBBB_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/libbb/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/libbb
 
 LIBBB_SRC:= \
 	bb_asprintf.c ask_confirmation.c change_identity.c chomp.c \
@@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ LIBBB_SRC:= \
 
 LIBBB_OBJS=$(patsubst %.c,$(LIBBB_DIR)%.o, $(LIBBB_SRC))
 
-LIBBB_MSRC0:=$(LIBBB_DIR)messages.c
+LIBBB_MSRC0:=$(srcdir)/messages.c
 LIBBB_MOBJ0:=full_version.o \
 	memory_exhausted.o invalid_date.o io_error.o \
 	write_error.o name_longer_than_foo.o unknown.o \
@@ -60,19 +59,19 @@ LIBBB_MOBJ0:=full_version.o \
 	securetty_file.o motd_file.o \
 	msg_standard_input.o msg_standard_output.o shell_file.o
 
-LIBBB_MSRC1:=$(LIBBB_DIR)xfuncs.c
+LIBBB_MSRC1:=$(srcdir)/xfuncs.c
 LIBBB_MOBJ1:=xmalloc.o xrealloc.o xcalloc.o xstrdup.o xstrndup.o \
 	xfopen.o xopen.o xread.o xread_all.o xread_char.o \
 	xferror.o xferror_stdout.o xfflush_stdout.o strlen.o
 
-LIBBB_MSRC2:=$(LIBBB_DIR)printf.c
+LIBBB_MSRC2:=$(srcdir)/printf.c
 LIBBB_MOBJ2:=bb_vfprintf.o bb_vprintf.o bb_fprintf.o bb_printf.o
 
-LIBBB_MSRC3:=$(LIBBB_DIR)xgetularg.c
+LIBBB_MSRC3:=$(srcdir)/xgetularg.c
 LIBBB_MOBJ3:=xgetularg_bnd_sfx.o xgetlarg_bnd_sfx.o getlarg10_sfx.o \
 	xgetularg_bnd.o xgetularg10_bnd.o xgetularg10.o
 
-LIBBB_MSRC4:=$(LIBBB_DIR)/safe_strtol.c
+LIBBB_MSRC4:=$(srcdir)/safe_strtol.c
 LIBBB_MOBJ4:=safe_strtoi.o safe_strtod.o safe_strtol.o safe_strtoul.o
 
 LIBBB_MOBJS0=$(patsubst %,$(LIBBB_DIR)%, $(LIBBB_MOBJ0))
@@ -88,6 +87,9 @@ $(LIBBB_DIR)$(LIBBB_AR): $(LIBBB_OBJS) $(LIBBB_MOBJS0) $(LIBBB_MOBJS1) \
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(LIBBB_OBJS) $(LIBBB_MOBJS0) $(LIBBB_MOBJS1) \
 		$(LIBBB_MOBJS2) $(LIBBB_MOBJS3) $(LIBBB_MOBJS4)
 
+$(LIBBB_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
 $(LIBBB_MOBJS0): $(LIBBB_MSRC0)
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -DL_$(notdir $*) -c $< -o $@
 
diff --git a/libpwdgrp/Makefile b/libpwdgrp/Makefile
index 79dbb462f..c833550bf 100644
--- a/libpwdgrp/Makefile
+++ b/libpwdgrp/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/libpwgrp
 LIBPWDGRP_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/libpwdgrp/Makefile.in b/libpwdgrp/Makefile.in
index a79820252..9bdfc10d8 100644
--- a/libpwdgrp/Makefile.in
+++ b/libpwdgrp/Makefile.in
@@ -19,11 +19,12 @@
 
 LIBPWDGRP_AR:=libpwdgrp.a
 ifndef $(LIBPWDGRP_DIR)
-LIBPWDGRP_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)libpwdgrp/
+LIBPWDGRP_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/libpwdgrp/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/libpwdgrp
 
 
-LIBPWDGRP_MSRC0:=$(LIBPWDGRP_DIR)pwd_grp.c
+LIBPWDGRP_MSRC0:=$(srcdir)/pwd_grp.c
 LIBPWDGRP_MOBJ0-$(CONFIG_USE_BB_PWD_GRP):= fgetpwent_r.o fgetgrent_r.o \
 	fgetpwent.o fgetgrent.o getpwnam_r.o getgrnam_r.o getpwuid_r.o \
 	getgrgid_r.o getpwuid.o getgrgid.o getpwnam.o getgrnam.o getpw.o \
@@ -31,7 +32,7 @@ LIBPWDGRP_MOBJ0-$(CONFIG_USE_BB_PWD_GRP):= fgetpwent_r.o fgetgrent_r.o \
 	initgroups.o putpwent.o putgrent.o
 LIBPWDGRP_MOBJS0=$(patsubst %,$(LIBPWDGRP_DIR)%, $(LIBPWDGRP_MOBJ0-y))
 
-LIBPWDGRP_MSRC1:=$(LIBPWDGRP_DIR)pwd_grp.c
+LIBPWDGRP_MSRC1:=$(srcdir)/pwd_grp.c
 LIBPWDGRP_MOBJ1-$(CONFIG_USE_BB_PWD_GRP):= __parsepwent.o __parsegrent.o \
 	__pgsreader.o fgetspent_r.o fgetspent.o sgetspent_r.o getspnam_r.o \
 	getspnam.o getspent_r.o getspent.o sgetspent.o \
diff --git a/loginutils/Makefile b/loginutils/Makefile
index a013d141f..98226ae81 100644
--- a/loginutils/Makefile
+++ b/loginutils/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/loginutils
 LOGINUTILS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/loginutils/Makefile.in b/loginutils/Makefile.in
index d6ffd3b6c..96a61e60f 100644
--- a/loginutils/Makefile.in
+++ b/loginutils/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 LOGINUTILS_AR:=loginutils.a
 ifndef LOGINUTILS_DIR
-LOGINUTILS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)loginutils/
+LOGINUTILS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/loginutils/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/loginutils
 
 LOGINUTILS-y:=
 LOGINUTILS-$(CONFIG_ADDGROUP)	+= addgroup.o
@@ -51,3 +52,6 @@ endif
 $(LOGINUTILS_DIR)$(LOGINUTILS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(LOGINUTILS_DIR)%, $(LOGINUTILS-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(LOGINUTILS_DIR)%, $(LOGINUTILS-y))
 
+$(LOGINUTILS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/miscutils/Makefile b/miscutils/Makefile
index 4bae72476..ac427dc09 100644
--- a/miscutils/Makefile
+++ b/miscutils/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/miscutils
 MISCUTILS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/miscutils/Makefile.in b/miscutils/Makefile.in
index 89e3208a6..ddddf72b3 100644
--- a/miscutils/Makefile.in
+++ b/miscutils/Makefile.in
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@
 
 MISCUTILS_AR:=miscutils.a
 ifndef $(MISCUTILS_DIR)
-MISCUTILS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)miscutils/
+MISCUTILS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/miscutils/
 endif
-
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/miscutils
 
 MISCUTILS-y:=
 MISCUTILS-$(CONFIG_ADJTIMEX)		+= adjtimex.o
@@ -50,3 +50,6 @@ endif
 $(MISCUTILS_DIR)$(MISCUTILS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(MISCUTILS_DIR)%, $(MISCUTILS-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(MISCUTILS_DIR)%, $(MISCUTILS-y))
 
+$(MISCUTILS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/modutils/Makefile b/modutils/Makefile
index 5e1c886c0..d2b50b4d8 100644
--- a/modutils/Makefile
+++ b/modutils/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/modutils
 MODUTILS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/modutils/Makefile.in b/modutils/Makefile.in
index a92befafb..9bd11d4d8 100644
--- a/modutils/Makefile.in
+++ b/modutils/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 MODUTILS_AR:=modutils.a
 ifndef $(MODUTILS_DIR)
-MODUTILS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)modutils/
+MODUTILS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/modutils/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/modutils
 
 MODUTILS-y:=
 MODUTILS-$(CONFIG_INSMOD)		+= insmod.o
@@ -33,3 +34,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(MODUTILS_DIR)$(MODUTILS_AR)
 $(MODUTILS_DIR)$(MODUTILS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(MODUTILS_DIR)%, $(MODUTILS-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(MODUTILS_DIR)%, $(MODUTILS-y))
 
+$(MODUTILS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/networking/Makefile b/networking/Makefile
index 456c433fd..91726b1b2 100644
--- a/networking/Makefile
+++ b/networking/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/networking
 NETWORKING_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/networking/Makefile.in b/networking/Makefile.in
index e15e61a3e..9bfe90176 100644
--- a/networking/Makefile.in
+++ b/networking/Makefile.in
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@
 
 NETWORKING_AR:=networking.a
 ifndef $(NETWORKING_DIR)
-NETWORKING_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)networking/
+NETWORKING_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/networking/
 endif
-
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/networking
 NETWORKING-y:=
 NETWORKING-$(CONFIG_ARPING)	+= arping.o
 NETWORKING-$(CONFIG_FTPGET)	+= ftpgetput.o
@@ -63,3 +63,6 @@ endif
 $(NETWORKING_DIR)$(NETWORKING_AR): $(patsubst %,$(NETWORKING_DIR)%, $(NETWORKING-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(NETWORKING_DIR)%, $(NETWORKING-y))
 
+$(NETWORKING_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/networking/libiproute/Makefile b/networking/libiproute/Makefile
index 0dc7191d3..d3aefaaf4 100644
--- a/networking/libiproute/Makefile
+++ b/networking/libiproute/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../../
+top_srcdir=../..
+top_builddir=../..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/networking/libiproute
 LIBIPROUTE_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/networking/libiproute/Makefile.in b/networking/libiproute/Makefile.in
index 25c51999f..fcc7f48ce 100644
--- a/networking/libiproute/Makefile.in
+++ b/networking/libiproute/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 LIBIPROUTE_AR:=libiproute.a
 ifndef $(LIBIPROUTE_DIR)
-LIBIPROUTE_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)networking/libiproute/
+LIBIPROUTE_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/networking/libiproute/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/networking/libiproute
 
 LIBIPROUTE-$(CONFIG_IP) += \
 	ip_parse_common_args.o \
@@ -78,3 +79,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(LIBIPROUTE_DIR)$(LIBIPROUTE_AR)
 $(LIBIPROUTE_DIR)$(LIBIPROUTE_AR): $(patsubst %,$(LIBIPROUTE_DIR)%, $(LIBIPROUTE-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(LIBIPROUTE_DIR)%, $(LIBIPROUTE-y))
 
+$(LIBIPROUTE_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/networking/udhcp/Makefile b/networking/udhcp/Makefile
index 2b79d2293..3d32db50a 100644
--- a/networking/udhcp/Makefile
+++ b/networking/udhcp/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../../
+top_srcdir=../..
+top_builddir=../..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/networking/udhcp
 UDHCP_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/networking/udhcp/Makefile.in b/networking/udhcp/Makefile.in
index b48079429..2d7a08816 100644
--- a/networking/udhcp/Makefile.in
+++ b/networking/udhcp/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 UDHCP_AR:=udhcp.a
 ifndef $(UDHCP_DIR)
-UDHCP_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)networking/udhcp/
+UDHCP_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/networking/udhcp/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/networking/udhcp
 
 #ok, so I forgot how to do an or, but this is a quick and dirty hack
 ifeq ($(CONFIG_UDHCPC), y)
@@ -48,6 +49,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(UDHCP_DIR)$(UDHCP_AR)
 $(UDHCP_DIR)$(UDHCP_AR): $(UDHCP_OBJS)
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(UDHCP_OBJS)
 
-$(UDHCP_OBJS): %.o : %.c
+$(UDHCP_OBJS): $(UDHCP_DIR)%.o : $(srcdir)/%.c
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -DIN_BUSYBOX -c $< -o $@
 
diff --git a/procps/Makefile b/procps/Makefile
index 0238f7ebb..1cc880462 100644
--- a/procps/Makefile
+++ b/procps/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/procps
 PROCPS_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/procps/Makefile.in b/procps/Makefile.in
index 1c2e00f7b..ced29a198 100644
--- a/procps/Makefile.in
+++ b/procps/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 PROCPS_AR:=procps.a
 ifndef $(PROCPS_DIR)
-PROCPS_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)procps/
+PROCPS_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/procps/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/procps
 
 PROCPS-y:=
 PROCPS-$(CONFIG_FREE)		+= free.o
@@ -37,3 +38,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(PROCPS_DIR)$(PROCPS_AR)
 $(PROCPS_DIR)$(PROCPS_AR): $(patsubst %,$(PROCPS_DIR)%, $(PROCPS-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(PROCPS_DIR)%, $(PROCPS-y))
 
+$(PROCPS_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/scripts/config/Makefile b/scripts/config/Makefile
index e15ec399c..c0b5b9d35 100644
--- a/scripts/config/Makefile
+++ b/scripts/config/Makefile
@@ -2,8 +2,10 @@
 #
 # Copyright (C) 2002 Erik Andersen <andersen@codepoet.org>
 
-TOPDIR=../../
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+top_srcdir=../..
+top_builddir=../..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/scripts/config
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
 
 all: ncurses conf mconf
 
@@ -33,7 +35,8 @@ endif
 CONF_SRC  =conf.c
 MCONF_SRC =mconf.c checklist.c menubox.c textbox.c yesno.c inputbox.c util.c msgbox.c
 SHARED_SRC=zconf.tab.c
-SHARED_DEPS:=lkc.h lkc_proto.h lkc_defs.h expr.h zconf.tab.h
+SHARED_DEPS:=$(srcdir)/lkc.h $(srcdir)/lkc_proto.h \
+  lkc_defs.h $(srcdir)/expr.h zconf.tab.h
 CONF_OBJS =$(patsubst %.c,%.o, $(CONF_SRC))
 MCONF_OBJS=$(patsubst %.c,%.o, $(MCONF_SRC))
 SHARED_OBJS=$(patsubst %.c,%.o, $(SHARED_SRC))
@@ -44,13 +47,13 @@ conf: $(CONF_OBJS) $(SHARED_OBJS)
 mconf: $(MCONF_OBJS) $(SHARED_OBJS)
 	$(HOSTCC) $(NATIVE_LDFLAGS) $^ -o $@ $(LIBS)
 
-$(CONF_OBJS): %.o : %.c $(SHARED_DEPS)
+$(CONF_OBJS): %.o : $(srcdir)/%.c $(SHARED_DEPS)
 	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -I. -c $< -o $@
 
-$(MCONF_OBJS): %.o : %.c $(SHARED_DEPS)
+$(MCONF_OBJS): %.o : $(srcdir)/%.c $(SHARED_DEPS)
 	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) $(HOSTNCURSES) -I. -c $< -o $@
 
-lkc_defs.h: lkc_proto.h
+lkc_defs.h: $(srcdir)/lkc_proto.h
 	@sed < $< > $@ 's/P(\([^,]*\),.*/#define \1 (\*\1_p)/'
 
 ###
@@ -61,29 +64,30 @@ lkc_defs.h: lkc_proto.h
 
 ifdef LKC_GENPARSER
 
-%.tab.c %.tab.h: %.y
+%.tab.c %.tab.h: $(srcdir)/%.y
 	bison -t -d -v -b $* -p $(notdir $*) $<
 
-lex.%.c: %.l
+lex.%.c: $(srcdir)/%.l
 	flex -P$(notdir $*) -o$@ $<
 else
 
 lex.zconf.o: lex.zconf.c $(SHARED_DEPS)
-	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -I. -c $< -o $@
+	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -I$(srcdir) -c $< -o $@
 
-lex.zconf.c: lex.zconf.c_shipped
-	cp lex.zconf.c_shipped lex.zconf.c
+lex.zconf.c: $(srcdir)/lex.zconf.c_shipped
+	cp $< $@
 
-zconf.tab.o: zconf.tab.c lex.zconf.c confdata.c expr.c symbol.c menu.c $(SHARED_DEPS)
-	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -I. -c $< -o $@
+zconf.tab.c: $(srcdir)/zconf.tab.c_shipped
+	cp $< $@
 
-zconf.tab.c: zconf.tab.c_shipped
-	cp zconf.tab.c_shipped zconf.tab.c
-
-zconf.tab.h: zconf.tab.h_shipped
-	cp zconf.tab.h_shipped zconf.tab.h
+zconf.tab.h: $(srcdir)/zconf.tab.h_shipped
+	cp $< $@
 endif
 
+zconf.tab.o: zconf.tab.c lex.zconf.c $(srcdir)/confdata.c $(srcdir)/expr.c \
+             $(srcdir)/symbol.c $(srcdir)/menu.c $(SHARED_DEPS)
+	$(HOSTCC) $(HOSTCFLAGS) -I$(srcdir) -I. -c $< -o $@
+
 .PHONY: ncurses
 
 ncurses:
diff --git a/shell/Makefile b/shell/Makefile
index 8f476c19e..bd1dad6f3 100644
--- a/shell/Makefile
+++ b/shell/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_builddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/shell
 SHELL_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/shell/Makefile.in b/shell/Makefile.in
index 7b9f41ed4..61b2846ac 100644
--- a/shell/Makefile.in
+++ b/shell/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 SHELL_AR:=shell.a
 ifndef $(SHELL_DIR)
-SHELL_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)shell/
+SHELL_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/shell/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/shell
 
 SHELLT-y:=
 SHELLT-$(CONFIG_ASH)				+= ash.o
@@ -34,3 +35,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(SHELL_DIR)$(SHELL_AR)
 $(SHELL_DIR)$(SHELL_AR): $(patsubst %,$(SHELL_DIR)%, $(SHELLT-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(SHELL_DIR)%, $(SHELLT-y))
 
+$(SHELL_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/sysklogd/Makefile b/sysklogd/Makefile
index f6ce14530..78b0c0090 100644
--- a/sysklogd/Makefile
+++ b/sysklogd/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_buildddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/sysklogd
 SYSKLOGD_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/sysklogd/Makefile.in b/sysklogd/Makefile.in
index 1c6e90774..99a5f823c 100644
--- a/sysklogd/Makefile.in
+++ b/sysklogd/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 SYSKLOGD_AR:=sysklogd.a
 ifndef $(SYSKLOGD_DIR)
-SYSKLOGD_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)sysklogd/
+SYSKLOGD_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/sysklogd/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/sysklogd
 
 SYSKLOGD-:=
 SYSKLOGD-$(CONFIG_KLOGD)		+= klogd.o
@@ -33,3 +34,6 @@ libraries-y+=$(SYSKLOGD_DIR)$(SYSKLOGD_AR)
 $(SYSKLOGD_DIR)$(SYSKLOGD_AR): $(patsubst %,$(SYSKLOGD_DIR)%, $(SYSKLOGD-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(SYSKLOGD_DIR)%, $(SYSKLOGD-y))
 
+$(SYSKLOGD_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
diff --git a/testsuite/du/du-h-works b/testsuite/du/du-h-works
index 8ec5d4c24..82041ab33 100644
--- a/testsuite/du/du-h-works
+++ b/testsuite/du/du-h-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-du -h .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox du -h .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+du -h "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox du -h "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/du/du-k-works b/testsuite/du/du-k-works
index 43b119c7c..177a1a2cd 100644
--- a/testsuite/du/du-k-works
+++ b/testsuite/du/du-k-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-du -k .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox du -k .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+du -k "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox du -k "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/du/du-l-works b/testsuite/du/du-l-works
index c5d439853..61e91400c 100644
--- a/testsuite/du/du-l-works
+++ b/testsuite/du/du-l-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-du -l .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox du -l .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+du -l "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox du -l "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/du/du-m-works b/testsuite/du/du-m-works
index e3e2d3a56..bc9707350 100644
--- a/testsuite/du/du-m-works
+++ b/testsuite/du/du-m-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-du -m .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox du -m .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+du -m "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox du -m "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/du/du-s-works b/testsuite/du/du-s-works
index 16b0a3e5a..f0b3bf0ae 100644
--- a/testsuite/du/du-s-works
+++ b/testsuite/du/du-s-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-du -s .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox du -s .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+du -s "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox du -s "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/du/du-works b/testsuite/du/du-works
index 87ba63032..47949c694 100644
--- a/testsuite/du/du-works
+++ b/testsuite/du/du-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-du .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox du .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+du "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox du "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/head/head-n-works b/testsuite/head/head-n-works
index 121a1fa1d..db4325556 100644
--- a/testsuite/head/head-n-works
+++ b/testsuite/head/head-n-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-head -n 2 ../README > logfile.gnu
-busybox head -n 2 ../README > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+head -n 2 "$d/README" > logfile.gnu
+busybox head -n 2 "$d/README" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/head/head-works b/testsuite/head/head-works
index ea10adeb4..56ad3e36b 100644
--- a/testsuite/head/head-works
+++ b/testsuite/head/head-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-head ../README > logfile.gnu
-busybox head ../README > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+head "$d/README" > logfile.gnu
+busybox head "$d/README" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/ls/ls-1-works b/testsuite/ls/ls-1-works
index 8651ecd72..8ad484fc3 100644
--- a/testsuite/ls/ls-1-works
+++ b/testsuite/ls/ls-1-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-ls -1 .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox ls -1 .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+ls -1 "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox ls -1 "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/ls/ls-h-works b/testsuite/ls/ls-h-works
index f54a7be0b..7331262c9 100644
--- a/testsuite/ls/ls-h-works
+++ b/testsuite/ls/ls-h-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-ls -h .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox ls -h .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+ls -h "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox ls -h "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/ls/ls-l-works b/testsuite/ls/ls-l-works
index 50e44597e..ae5141d80 100644
--- a/testsuite/ls/ls-l-works
+++ b/testsuite/ls/ls-l-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-ls -l .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox ls -l .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+ls -l "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox ls -l "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/ls/ls-s-works b/testsuite/ls/ls-s-works
index 98a612d06..d82f328b7 100644
--- a/testsuite/ls/ls-s-works
+++ b/testsuite/ls/ls-s-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-ls -1s .. > logfile.gnu
-busybox ls -1s .. > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+ls -1s "$d" > logfile.gnu
+busybox ls -1s "$d" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/runtest b/testsuite/runtest
index 89aba3985..6ba334bce 100755
--- a/testsuite/runtest
+++ b/testsuite/runtest
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
-PATH=$(dirname $(pwd)):$PATH
+[ -n "$srcdir" ] || srcdir=$(pwd)
+[ -n "$bindir" ] || bindir=$(dirname $(pwd))
+PATH=$bindir:$PATH
 
 run_applet_testcase ()
 {
@@ -13,7 +15,7 @@ run_applet_testcase ()
 	local uc_applet=$(echo $applet | tr a-z A-Z)
 	local testname=$(basename $testcase)
 
-	if grep -q "^# CONFIG_${uc_applet} is not set$" ../.config; then
+	if grep -q "^# CONFIG_${uc_applet} is not set$" $bindir/.config; then
 		echo UNTESTED: $testname
 		return 0
 	fi
@@ -21,7 +23,7 @@ run_applet_testcase ()
 	if grep -q "^# FEATURE: " $testcase; then
 		local feature=`sed -ne 's/^# FEATURE: //p' $testcase`
 
-		if grep -q "^# ${feature} is not set$" ../.config; then
+		if grep -q "^# ${feature} is not set$" $bindir/.config; then
 			echo UNTESTED: $testname
 			return 0
 		fi
@@ -31,7 +33,7 @@ run_applet_testcase ()
 	mkdir -p tmp
 	pushd tmp >/dev/null
 
-	sh -x -e ../$testcase >.logfile.txt 2>&1
+	d=$srcdir sh -x -e $testcase >.logfile.txt 2>&1
 
 	if [ $? != 0 ] ; then
 		echo FAIL: $testname
@@ -58,8 +60,8 @@ run_applet_tests ()
 
 	local status=0
 
-	for testcase in $applet/*; do
-		if [ "$testcase" = "$applet/CVS" ]; then
+	for testcase in $srcdir/$applet/*; do
+		if [ "$testcase" = "$srcdir/$applet/CVS" ]; then
 			continue
 		fi
 
@@ -84,11 +86,11 @@ fi
 if [ $# -ne 0 ]; then
 	applets="$@"
 else
-	applets="*"
+	applets=$(ls $srcdir)
 fi
 
 for applet in $applets; do
-	if [ "$applet" != CVS -a -d "$applet" ]; then
+	if [ "$applet" != CVS -a -d "$srcdir/$applet" ]; then
 		if run_applet_tests $applet; then
 			:
 		else
diff --git a/testsuite/sort/sort-n-works b/testsuite/sort/sort-n-works
index c9b63a36a..878108ddd 100644
--- a/testsuite/sort/sort-n-works
+++ b/testsuite/sort/sort-n-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-sort -n ../README > logfile.gnu
-busybox sort -n ../README > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+sort -n "$d/README" > logfile.gnu
+busybox sort -n "$d/README" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/sort/sort-r-works b/testsuite/sort/sort-r-works
index 6422ba940..6ee0ceb1a 100644
--- a/testsuite/sort/sort-r-works
+++ b/testsuite/sort/sort-r-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-sort -r ../README > logfile.gnu
-busybox sort -r ../README > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+sort -r "$d/README" > logfile.gnu
+busybox sort -r "$d/README" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/sort/sort-works b/testsuite/sort/sort-works
index 0110aa010..14a115abf 100644
--- a/testsuite/sort/sort-works
+++ b/testsuite/sort/sort-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-sort ../README > logfile.gnu
-busybox sort ../README > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+sort "$d/README" > logfile.gnu
+busybox sort "$d/README" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/tail/tail-n-works b/testsuite/tail/tail-n-works
index 321db7f8a..27a905f88 100644
--- a/testsuite/tail/tail-n-works
+++ b/testsuite/tail/tail-n-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-tail -n 2 ../README > logfile.gnu
-busybox tail -n 2 ../README > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+tail -n 2 "$d/README" > logfile.gnu
+busybox tail -n 2 "$d/README" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/tail/tail-works b/testsuite/tail/tail-works
index 321db7f8a..27a905f88 100644
--- a/testsuite/tail/tail-works
+++ b/testsuite/tail/tail-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-tail -n 2 ../README > logfile.gnu
-busybox tail -n 2 ../README > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+tail -n 2 "$d/README" > logfile.gnu
+busybox tail -n 2 "$d/README" > logfile.bb
 cmp logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/testsuite/xargs/xargs-works b/testsuite/xargs/xargs-works
index 4ad581804..c95869e89 100644
--- a/testsuite/xargs/xargs-works
+++ b/testsuite/xargs/xargs-works
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
-find -name \*works -type f | xargs md5sum > logfile.gnu
-find -name \*works -type f | busybox xargs md5sum > logfile.bb
+[ -n "$d" ] || d=..
+find "$d" -name \*works -type f | xargs md5sum > logfile.gnu
+find "$d" -name \*works -type f | busybox xargs md5sum > logfile.bb
 diff -u logfile.gnu logfile.bb
diff --git a/util-linux/Makefile b/util-linux/Makefile
index f2e2021f0..4401fd1ed 100644
--- a/util-linux/Makefile
+++ b/util-linux/Makefile
@@ -17,13 +17,15 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
 #
 
-TOPDIR:= ../
+top_srcdir=..
+top_buildddir=..
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/util-linux
 UTILLINUX_DIR:=./
-include $(TOPDIR).config
-include $(TOPDIR)Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/Rules.mak
+include $(top_builddir)/.config
 include Makefile.in
 all: $(libraries-y)
--include $(TOPDIR).depend
+-include $(top_builddir)/.depend
 
 clean:
 	rm -f *.o *.a $(AR_TARGET)
diff --git a/util-linux/Makefile.in b/util-linux/Makefile.in
index 72136f1ce..0172b3562 100644
--- a/util-linux/Makefile.in
+++ b/util-linux/Makefile.in
@@ -19,8 +19,9 @@
 
 UTILLINUX_AR:=util-linux.a
 ifndef $(UTILLINUX_DIR)
-UTILLINUX_DIR:=$(TOPDIR)util-linux/
+UTILLINUX_DIR:=$(top_builddir)/util-linux/
 endif
+srcdir=$(top_srcdir)/util-linux
 
 UTILLINUX-:=
 UTILLINUX-$(CONFIG_DMESG)		+=dmesg.o
@@ -49,10 +50,13 @@ libraries-y+=$(UTILLINUX_DIR)$(UTILLINUX_AR)
 $(UTILLINUX_DIR)$(UTILLINUX_AR): $(patsubst %,$(UTILLINUX_DIR)%, $(UTILLINUX-y))
 	$(AR) -ro $@ $(patsubst %,$(UTILLINUX_DIR)%, $(UTILLINUX-y))
 
+$(UTILLINUX_DIR)%.o: $(srcdir)/%.c
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<
+
 ifneq ($(strip $(CONFIG_LFS)),y)
 ifeq ($(strip $(FDISK_SUPPORT_LARGE_DISKS)),y)
 
-$(UTILLINUX_DIR)fdisk.o: $(UTILLINUX_DIR)fdisk.c
+$(UTILLINUX_DIR)fdisk.o: $(srcdir)/fdisk.c
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) \
 		-D_LARGEFILE_SOURCE -D_LARGEFILE64_SOURCE -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64 \
 		$(EXTRA_CFLAGS) -c -o $@ $<