Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac:37928 comp.sys.mac.programmer:8931
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ncar!ames!amdahl!key!perry
From: perry@key.COM (Perry The Cynic)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Re: Prolog for Mac?
Summary: Caution about LPA Prolog
Keywords: Prolog, Macintosh, LPA
Message-ID: <1050@key.COM>
Date: 10 Sep 89 01:24:57 GMT
References: <2409@umn-d-ub.D.UMN.EDU> <4042@internal.Apple.COM> <306@unizh.UUCP>
Reply-To: perry@arkon.key.COM (Perry The Cynic)
Organization: Key Computer Laboratories, Fremont
Lines: 37

In article <306@unizh.UUCP> fromherz@gorgo.UUCP () writes:
>  [Explains how Logic Programming Associates' Prolog is a Very Good Product]
> Highly recommended (if you've got the money).
> I have nothing to do with LPA except for being a very satisfied customer.
> Markus P.J. Fromherz
> University of Zuerich, Switzerland

Careful here. When I was looking around for a Mac Prolog system about 6
months ago, I looked at LPA prolog. I called their U.S. address and received
a demo floppy, that I proceeded to send flying out of my window a half day
later. Scads of bugs, nonstandard use of the Mac interface (including
mouse text selections that worked only sporadically), and the general
impression that this was a PC and/or UNIX program shoehorned onto a Mac
without much understanding or concern (the accompanying price list
consisted mostly of PC products).

Obviously this cannot be the same program that Markus Fromherz praises
so highly in his article. Seeing how he gives a British address for LPA,
it is possible that the U.S. distributor is (or was, as may be) selling
an old, outdated version. That does of course not reflect well on the
company as a whole.

In summary, I was negatively impressed by LPA's product offering, not
only from the software quality point of view, but also from their pricing
policies (talk about Sticker Shock! Well over $1000 for a usable product,
in little bits and extra pieces.) Of course, if your company/university
pays for it, that aspect may not count for much.

In any case, Caveat Emptor.
  -- perry

P.S.:	I've bought AAIS Prolog instead, and am very satisfied with it.
	Under $200 street price, too.
-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perry The Cynic (Peter Kiehtreiber)		     perry@arkon.key.com
** What good signature isn't taken yet? **	   ...!pacbell!key!perry