when I discovered STLport around 2001, it was a real revelation and very convenient because I was finally able to compile the code my coworkers wrote on "real UNIX" with "real C++ compilers" (lol cfront) In researching my answer I came across http://www.stlport.org/resources/StepanovUSA.html# "putting it simply, STL is the result of a bacterial infection."

thank you for that link. what a diamond of interesting stuff!