diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/LOG b/racket/src/ChezScheme/LOG
index b6bf944d96..774b056e31 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/LOG
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/LOG
@@ -2179,3 +2179,14 @@
     wininstall/ta6nt.wxs wininstall/ti3nt.wxs
 - newrelease no longer logs as updated files with no actual changes
     newrelease
+- avoid hard-coded paths for utilities in build scripts
+    csug/gifs/Makefile csug/math/Makefile examples/Makefile
+    makefiles/Makefile-csug.in makefiles/Makefile-release_notes.in
+    makefiles/Mf-install.in makefiles/installsh mats/6.ms mats/Mf-a6fb
+    mats/Mf-a6le mats/Mf-a6nb mats/Mf-a6ob mats/Mf-a6osx mats/Mf-arm32le
+    mats/Mf-arm64le mats/Mf-arm64osx mats/Mf-i3fb mats/Mf-i3le mats/Mf-i3nb
+    mats/Mf-i3ob mats/Mf-i3osx mats/Mf-i3qnx mats/Mf-ppc32le mats/Mf-ppc32osx
+    mats/unix.ms newrelease pkg/Makefile release_notes/gifs/Makefile
+    release_notes/math/Makefile s/Mf-base stex/Makefile stex/Mf-stex
+    stex/gifs/Makefile stex/math/Makefile workarea
+    zlib/contrib/minizip/Makefile
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/gifs/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/gifs/Makefile
index 8676e4c0f6..4253ffd112 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/gifs/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/gifs/Makefile
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ density=-r90x90
           ${density} - |\
           pnmcrop |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
+	rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 # translate ps file to gif w/o transparent white background
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ density=-r90x90
           ${density} - |\
           pnmcrop |\
           ppmtogif > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
+	rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 all: ${gifs}
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ ghostRightarrow.gif: Rightarrow.tex
           giftrans -g '#000000=#ffffff' |\
           giftopnm |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f Rightarrow.dvi Rightarrow.log Rightarrow.aux
+	rm -f Rightarrow.dvi Rightarrow.log Rightarrow.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
-clean: ; /bin/rm -f *.gif Make.out
+clean: ; rm -f *.gif Make.out
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/math/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/math/Makefile
index 3385fdb546..3392ea87f7 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/math/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/csug/math/Makefile
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ density=-r90x90
           ${density} - |\
           pnmcrop |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f $*.dvi $*.log $*.aux
+	rm -f $*.dvi $*.log $*.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 all: ${gifs}
 
 ${gifs}: mathmacros
 
-clean: ; /bin/rm -f *.gif Make.out
+clean: ; rm -f *.gif Make.out
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/examples/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/examples/Makefile
index b1b4e1d1d5..3edfdd05cb 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/examples/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/examples/Makefile
@@ -25,4 +25,4 @@ needed:	${obj}
 
 all: ; echo "(time (for-each compile-file (map symbol->string '(${src}))))" | ${Scheme}
 
-clean: ; /bin/rm -f $(obj) expr.md
+clean: ; rm -f $(obj) expr.md
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-csug.in b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-csug.in
index 19282c55fb..0a5dbfe85b 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-csug.in
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-csug.in
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ install: target
 # thrice is not enough when starting from scratch
 logcheck1: $(x).thirdrun
 	@if [ -n "`grep 'Warning: Label(s) may have changed' $(x).log`" ] ; then\
-            /bin/rm -f $(x).thirdrun ;\
+            rm -f $(x).thirdrun ;\
             $(MAKE) $(x).thirdrun;\
          fi
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ endif
 $(texsrc): $(moresrc)
 
 $(srcdir)/title.tex $(srcdir)/contents.tex $(srcdir)/bibliography.tex:
-	/bin/rm -f $*.tex
+	rm -f $*.tex
 	echo "%%% DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE" > $*.tex
 	echo "%%% Edit the .stex version instead" >> $*.tex
 	echo "" >> $*.tex
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ code: $(stexsrc)
 	echo '(load "code" pretty-print)' | $(Scheme) -q
 
 $(x).clean:
-	-/bin/rm -f $(x).rfm $(x).sfm $(x).prefirstrun $(x).presecondrun\
+	-rm -f $(x).rfm $(x).sfm $(x).prefirstrun $(x).presecondrun\
                     $(x).prethirdrun $(x).ans\
                     $(x).hprefirstrun $(x).hpresecondrun $(x).hprethirdrun\
                     tspl.aux tspl.haux tspl.rfm tspl.idx in.hidx\
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-release_notes.in b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-release_notes.in
index 4435b6fb29..64348a43c3 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-release_notes.in
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Makefile-release_notes.in
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ install: $x.pdf $x.html
 	$(INSTALL) -m 2755 -d $(installdir)/gifs
 	$(INSTALL) -m 0644 --ifdiff gifs/*.gif $(installdir)/gifs
 	$(INSTALL) -m 2755 -d $(installdir)/math
-	-/bin/rm -rf $(installdir)/$(mathdir)
+	-rm -rf $(installdir)/$(mathdir)
 	$(INSTALL) -m 2755 -d $(installdir)/$(mathdir)
 	if [ -e $(mathdir)/0.gif ] ; then $(INSTALL) -m 0644 $(mathdir)/*.gif $(installdir)/$(mathdir) ; fi
 
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Mf-install.in b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Mf-install.in
index 1e59ed658f..bdaa0578df 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Mf-install.in
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/Mf-install.in
@@ -114,12 +114,12 @@ bininstall: ${Bin}
 libbininstall: ${LibBin}
 	$I -m 444 ${PetiteBoot} ${LibBin}/petite.boot
 	if [ "${InstallPetiteName}" != "petite" ]; then\
-          /bin/rm -f ${LibBin}/${InstallPetiteName}.boot;\
+          rm -f ${LibBin}/${InstallPetiteName}.boot;\
           ln -f ${LibBin}/petite.boot ${LibBin}/${InstallPetiteName}.boot;\
         fi
 	$I -m 444 ${SchemeBoot} ${LibBin}/scheme.boot;\
 	if [ "${InstallSchemeName}" != "scheme" ]; then\
-          /bin/rm -f ${LibBin}/${InstallSchemeName}.boot;\
+          rm -f ${LibBin}/${InstallSchemeName}.boot;\
           ln -f ${LibBin}/scheme.boot ${LibBin}/${InstallSchemeName}.boot;\
         fi
 	ln -f ${LibBin}/scheme.boot ${LibBin}/${InstallScriptName}.boot;
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/installsh b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/installsh
index 48f1e4673f..95d85fb47d 100755
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/installsh
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/makefiles/installsh
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 #! /bin/sh
 if [ -x /bin/true ]; then TRUE=/bin/true;
 elif [ -x /usr/bin/true ]; then TRUE=/usr/bin/true;
-else echo "Can't find /bin/true or /usr/bin/true" ; exit 1;
+elif command -v true &> /dev/null; then TRUE=true;
+else echo "Can't find /bin/true or /usr/bin/true and no true command" ; exit 1;
 fi
 
 while ${TRUE} ; do
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/6.ms b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/6.ms
index 3fcf385e99..3909d2bd9b 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/6.ms
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/6.ms
@@ -2756,7 +2756,7 @@
       (begin
         (system "ln -s ../examples .")
         (load "examples/fatfib.ss" compile)
-        (system "/bin/rm examples")
+        (system "rm examples")
         #t))
   (or (windows?) (embedded?)
       (equal?
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6fb b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6fb
index 8876bcf9c5..dff6a82788 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6fb
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6fb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6le b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6le
index 77515234fe..0aab2af6d5 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6le
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6le
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -m64 -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -m64 -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6nb b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6nb
index 4f15762dff..bd190d3d04 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6nb
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6nb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6ob b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6ob
index 01c2b5b27c..beaa7ecbed 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6ob
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6ob
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6osx b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6osx
index bdbe8e6d5c..9d3ffcfc49 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6osx
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-a6osx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -m64 -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -m64 -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm32le b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm32le
index da910c7e40..fd1a266dcf 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm32le
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm32le
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64le b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64le
index d2771a467d..d2015651d4 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64le
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64le
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64osx b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64osx
index b1d870ab48..fa66a57fd5 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64osx
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-arm64osx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3fb b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3fb
index 2a29b2a9a6..d0e8d4b4d0 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3fb
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3fb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3le b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3le
index 8bee4684fb..2c8f84fc7e 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3le
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3le
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -m32 -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -m32 -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3nb b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3nb
index dcd50948ee..5080893085 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3nb
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3nb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3ob b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3ob
index cbabe3fe16..47ad151462 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3ob
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3ob
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3osx b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3osx
index a2c67a2b04..e5bb87c2d6 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3osx
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3osx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -m32 -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -m32 -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3qnx b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3qnx
index 724f2dbb84..3e1437a9a2 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3qnx
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-i3qnx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -m32 -fPIC -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -m32 -fPIC -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32le b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32le
index 1e8703a751..204a6a7666 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32le
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32le
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -m32 -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -m32 -fPIC ${threadFlags} -shared -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32osx b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32osx
index 21599d86b5..1fd2d8a909 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32osx
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/Mf-ppc32osx
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ fobj = foreign1.so
 include Mf-base
 
 foreign1.so: ${fsrc} ../boot/$m/scheme.h
-	cc -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
+	$(CC) -dynamiclib -undefined dynamic_lookup -I${Include} -o foreign1.so ${fsrc}
 
 cat_flush: cat_flush.c
-	cc -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
+	$(CC) -o cat_flush cat_flush.c
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/unix.ms b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/unix.ms
index cfba3e727b..23169895ef 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/unix.ms
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/mats/unix.ms
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@
   (mat system
     (eqv? (with-output-to-file "testfile.ss" void '(replace)) (void))
     (begin
-      (system (format "~:[~;/pkg~]/bin/rm testfile.ss" (embedded?)))
-      (system (format "~:[~;/pkg~]/bin/echo hello > testfile.ss" (embedded?)))
+      (system (format "~:[~;/pkg~]rm testfile.ss" (embedded?)))
+      (system (format "~:[~;/pkg~]echo hello > testfile.ss" (embedded?)))
       (let ([p (open-input-file "testfile.ss")])
         (and (eq? (read p) 'hello)
              (begin (close-input-port p) #t))))
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/newrelease b/racket/src/ChezScheme/newrelease
index 80a53f3cdb..8005f1eeda 100755
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/newrelease
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/newrelease
@@ -75,13 +75,13 @@ if ($status != 0) exit 1
 
 cd $W
 
-/bin/rm -f BUILDING
+rm -f BUILDING
 sed -e "s/Chez Scheme Version [^ ]*/Chez Scheme Version $R/" \
     -e "s/Copyright 1984-.... /Copyright 1984-`date +%Y` /" \
     ../BUILDING > BUILDING
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles BUILDING)
 
-/bin/rm -f NOTICE
+rm -f NOTICE
 sed -e "s/Chez Scheme Version [^ ]*/Chez Scheme Version $R/" \
     -e "s/Copyright 1984-.... /Copyright 1984-`date +%Y` /" \
     ../NOTICE > NOTICE
@@ -92,19 +92,19 @@ sed -e "s/csv[0-9]\.[0-9]\(\.[0-9]\)*/csv$R/" ../makefiles/Mf-install.in > makef
 sed -e "s/csug[0-9]\.[0-9]/csug$MR.$mR/" -e "s/csug[0-9]_[0-9]/csug$MR""_$mR/" ../makefiles/Makefile-csug.in > makefiles/Makefile-csug.in
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles makefiles/Mf-install.in makefiles/Makefile-csug.in)
 
-/bin/rm scheme.1.in
+rm scheme.1.in
 sed -e "s/Chez Scheme Version [0-9]\.[0-9]\(\.[0-9]\)* .* [0-9][0-9]*/Chez Scheme Version $R `date +'%B %Y'`/" \
     -e "s/Copyright .* Cisco Systems, Inc./Copyright `date +%Y` Cisco Systems, Inc./" \
   ../scheme.1.in > scheme.1.in
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles scheme.1.in)
 
-/bin/rm -f c/Makefile.{,t}{i3,a6}nt
+rm -f c/Makefile.{,t}{i3,a6}nt
 foreach fn (c/Makefile.{,t}{a6,i3}nt)
   set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles $fn)
   sed -e "s/csv[0-9][0-9][0-9]*/csv$ZR/g" ../$fn > $fn
 end
 
-/bin/rm -f mats/Mf-{,t}{i3,a6}nt
+rm -f mats/Mf-{,t}{i3,a6}nt
 foreach fn (mats/Mf-{,t}{a6,i3}nt)
   set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles $fn)
   sed -e "s/csv[0-9][0-9][0-9]*/csv$ZR/g" ../$fn > $fn
@@ -123,11 +123,11 @@ sed -e "s/FILEVERSION .*/FILEVERSION $RCVERSION/"\
     -e "s/Copyright 1984-..../Copyright 1984-`date +%Y`/g" ../c/scheme.rc > c/scheme.rc
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles c/scheme.rc)
 
-/bin/rm -f s/7.ss
+rm -f s/7.ss
 sed -e "s/nCopyright 1984-..../nCopyright 1984-`date +%Y`/g" ../s/7.ss > s/7.ss
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles s/7.ss)
 
-/bin/rm -f s/cmacros.ss
+rm -f s/cmacros.ss
 set VNUM = `printf "%04x%02x%02x" $MR $mR $bR`
 sed -e "s/scheme-version #x......../scheme-version #x$VNUM/" ../s/cmacros.ss > s/cmacros.ss
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles s/cmacros.ss)
@@ -145,17 +145,17 @@ sed -e "s/Revised\(.*\)for Chez Scheme Version [^ ]*<br>/Revised\1for Chez Schem
   ../csug/csug.stex > csug/csug.stex
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles csug/copyright.stex csug/csug.stex)
 
-/bin/rm bintar/Makefile
+rm bintar/Makefile
 sed -e "s/^version = .*/version = $R/" \
     -e "s/csv[0-9][0-9][0-9]*/csv$ZR/g" \
   ../bintar/Makefile > bintar/Makefile
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles bintar/Makefile)
 
-/bin/rm rpm/Makefile
+rm rpm/Makefile
 sed -e "s/^version = .*/version = $R/" ../rpm/Makefile > rpm/Makefile
 set maybeupdatedfiles = ($maybeupdatedfiles rpm/Makefile)
 
-/bin/rm pkg/Makefile
+rm pkg/Makefile
 sed -e "s/^version = .*/version = $R/" \
     -e "s/&copy; .* Cisco Systems/\&copy; `date +%Y` Cisco Systems/" \
      ../pkg/Makefile > pkg/Makefile
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ foreach x ($maybeupdatedfiles)
   cmp -s ../$x $x || set updatedfiles = ($updatedfiles $x)
 end
 
-/bin/rm LOG
+rm LOG
 cat ../LOG > LOG
 echo "" >> LOG
 echo "$R changes:" >> LOG
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/pkg/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/pkg/Makefile
index 02652a2a51..b776d24a48 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/pkg/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/pkg/Makefile
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ $(PKG): $(BUILDROOT)/$(PKG)
           --package-path $(BUILDROOT)\
           $(PKG)
 	sudo chown $(DOTUSER):$(DOTGROUP) $(PKG)
-	sudo /bin/rm -rf $(RELEASE) $(BUILDROOT)
+	sudo rm -rf $(RELEASE) $(BUILDROOT)
 
 $(BUILDROOT)/$(PKG): $(PKGCONTENT)
 	sudo /usr/bin/pkgbuild\
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/gifs/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/gifs/Makefile
index 95729659bf..701d53a178 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/gifs/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/gifs/Makefile
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ density=-r90x90
           ${density} - |\
           pnmcrop |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
+	rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 all: ${gifs}
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ ghostRightarrow.gif: Rightarrow.tex
           giftrans -g '#000000=#ffffff' |\
           giftopnm |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f Rightarrow.dvi Rightarrow.log Rightarrow.aux
+	rm -f Rightarrow.dvi Rightarrow.log Rightarrow.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
-clean: ; /bin/rm -f *.gif Make.out
+clean: ; rm -f *.gif Make.out
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/math/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/math/Makefile
index b3ffae3b54..9eca430132 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/math/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/release_notes/math/Makefile
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ density=-r90x90
           ${density} - |\
           pnmcrop |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f $*.dvi $*.log $*.aux
+	rm -f $*.dvi $*.log $*.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 all: ${gifs}
 
 ${gifs}: mathmacros
 
-clean: ; /bin/rm -f *.gif Make.out
+clean: ; rm -f *.gif Make.out
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/s/Mf-base b/racket/src/ChezScheme/s/Mf-base
index f19d3d80d5..6239802f1c 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/s/Mf-base
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/s/Mf-base
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ profiled:
 	$(MAKE) all loadspd=t bp=t PetiteBoot=../boot/$m/xpetite.boot SchemeBoot=../boot/$m/xscheme.boot
 	$(MAKE) prettyclean
 	$(MAKE) io.$m loadspd=t dumpbpd=t Scheme="../bin/$m/scheme -b ../boot/$m/xpetite.boot -b ../boot/$m/xscheme.boot"
-	/bin/rm -f ../boot/$m/xpetite.boot ../boot/$m/xscheme.boot
+	rm -f ../boot/$m/xpetite.boot ../boot/$m/xscheme.boot
 	$(MAKE) prettyclean
 	$(MAKE) all loadspd=t loadbpd=t
 
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Makefile
index fa77487ab4..ed3131d813 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Makefile
@@ -49,10 +49,10 @@ install: $(exec)
 	(umask 022; sed -e 's;include ~/stex/Mf-stex;include $(LIB)/Mf-stex;' Makefile.template > $(LIB)/Makefile.template)
 
 uninstall:
-	/bin/rm -rf $(LIB)
+	rm -rf $(LIB)
 
 clean:
-	/bin/rm -f Make.out
+	rm -f Make.out
 
 distclean: clean
-	/bin/rm -rf $m
+	rm -rf $m
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Mf-stex b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Mf-stex
index e6cd3822e4..950b417b32 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Mf-stex
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/Mf-stex
@@ -139,12 +139,12 @@ $(x).spell: $(x).bbl $(x).tex
 	latexspell $(x).tex
 
 clean: $(x).clean
-	-/bin/rm -f *.log *.dvi *.aux *.out *.toc *.tmp *.idx *.ilg *.ind *.blg *.bbl *.rfm *.sfm *.firstrun *.secondrun *.thirdrun
-	-/bin/rm -f *.haux *.htoc *.hidx *.hfirstrun *.hsecondrun *.hthirdrun *.mathrun
-	-/bin/rm -f *.tex
+	-rm -f *.log *.dvi *.aux *.out *.toc *.tmp *.idx *.ilg *.ind *.blg *.bbl *.rfm *.sfm *.firstrun *.secondrun *.thirdrun
+	-rm -f *.haux *.htoc *.hidx *.hfirstrun *.hsecondrun *.hthirdrun *.mathrun
+	-rm -f *.tex
 
 reallyclean: clean $(x).reallyclean
-	-/bin/rm -f *.html *.ps *.pdf *.png
+	-rm -f *.html *.ps *.pdf *.png
 
 reallyreallyclean: reallyclean $(x).reallyreallyclean
-	-/bin/rm -rf $(mathdir)
+	-rm -rf $(mathdir)
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/gifs/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/gifs/Makefile
index 4a9abdb547..93c6457597 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/gifs/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/gifs/Makefile
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ density=-r90x90
           ${density} - |\
           pnmcrop |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
+	rm -f $*.dvi $*.log *.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 all: ${gifs}
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ ghostRightarrow.gif: Rightarrow.tex
           giftrans -g '#000000=#ffffff' |\
           giftopnm |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f Rightarrow.dvi Rightarrow.log Rightarrow.aux
+	rm -f Rightarrow.dvi Rightarrow.log Rightarrow.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 clean:
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/math/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/math/Makefile
index b3ffae3b54..9eca430132 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/math/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/stex/math/Makefile
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ density=-r90x90
           ${density} - |\
           pnmcrop |\
           ppmtogif -transparent white > $*.gif
-	/bin/rm -f $*.dvi $*.log $*.aux
+	rm -f $*.dvi $*.log $*.aux
 	test -f $*.gif && chmod 644 $*.gif
 
 all: ${gifs}
 
 ${gifs}: mathmacros
 
-clean: ; /bin/rm -f *.gif Make.out
+clean: ; rm -f *.gif Make.out
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/workarea b/racket/src/ChezScheme/workarea
index 4c8abeb5c3..0f672e820b 100755
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/workarea
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/workarea
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ esac
 
 if [ "$OS" = "Windows_NT" ]
 then
-    ln="/bin/cp -R"
+    ln="cp -R"
 else
-    ln="/bin/ln -s"
+    ln="ln -s"
 fi
 
 # This shell script creates a workarea for local modifications to the
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ workln()
 forceworkln()
 {
     if [ ! -e $2 ] ; then
-        /bin/ln -s "$1" $2 2> /dev/null
+        ln -s "$1" $2 2> /dev/null
     fi
 }
 
@@ -278,13 +278,13 @@ linkeach unicode
 # deep copy submodules where builds occur so changes don't propagate through symlinks
 for dir in `echo zlib` ; do
   if [ ! -e $W/$dir ] ; then
-    /bin/cp -R "$srcdir"/$dir $W/$dir
+    cp -R "$srcdir"/$dir $W/$dir
   fi
 done
 
 for dir in `echo lz4` ; do
   if [ ! -e $W/$dir ] ; then
-    /bin/cp -R "$srcdir"/$dir $W/$dir
+    cp -R "$srcdir"/$dir $W/$dir
   fi
 done
 
diff --git a/racket/src/ChezScheme/zlib/contrib/minizip/Makefile b/racket/src/ChezScheme/zlib/contrib/minizip/Makefile
index 84eaad20d4..784beb0e1e 100644
--- a/racket/src/ChezScheme/zlib/contrib/minizip/Makefile
+++ b/racket/src/ChezScheme/zlib/contrib/minizip/Makefile
@@ -22,4 +22,4 @@ test:	miniunz minizip
 	./miniunz test.zip
 
 clean:
-	/bin/rm -f *.o *~ minizip miniunz
+	rm -f *.o *~ minizip miniunz