thread limit question

[Bryan Kate]

ok, i have scoured the net for answers, but none come...

i am looking to develop an app with alot of threads, and before i do, i
want to know hte threading limit under 2.4.

i have found that the number of threads (processes?) possible is dynamic
based on memory, and is available under /proc/sys/kernel/threads-max.
also, i know that there is a limitation compiled into glibc through the
header linux/bits/local_lim.h.  both of these are set high enough for my
needs.  in addition, i know that the number of processes per user can be
limited in the shell via ulimit or the like.

however, even with all of these things set well above what i need, when
i run a thread generation program i am stopped each time at 255
threads.  is there a per-user thread/process limit set somewhere else
that i have not encountered?  is it not a process limit at all (but a
stack/memory/lock limit? a counter problem in the kernel?).  i found one
user who was in my exact same situation a while back but nobody ever
replied to his post...

mailing lists are my last ditch effort, so if you know (or know someone
who might), please help me. 

thanks, 

- bryan

PS - i live in hooksett but go to school in NY - i never knew there was
a user group in NH...