Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!pacbell.com!pacbell!tandem!zorch!xanthian From: xanthian@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG (Kent Paul Dolan) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: Mach on Amiga Message-ID: <1990Jun27.003638.27525@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG> Date: 27 Jun 90 00:36:38 GMT References: <22863@snow-white.udel.EDU> Organization: SF Bay Public-Access Unix Lines: 39 In article <22863@snow-white.udel.EDU> EVERHART@arisia.dnet.ge.com writes: >I had the pleasure awhile back of talking with one of the Mach >developers. The gist of the conversation was that the Mach effort >is intended to result in code which can be given out everywhere [...] Bravo! >It's a serious issue for those of us no longer at a college/university. It's been a long time since I looked at the source license cost for a non-educational AT&T Unix installation, but the figure $30,000 sticks in my mind (and craw). That much money is a serious issue for anyone. > An implication of this is that the CBM Unix for Amiga will not >make getting Mach up on Amiga a trivial job. Should someone get the >basic functions running with an OSF or a Gnu kernel, though, >perhaps CBM will see the wisdom of support for this with their >libraries. Wouldn't it be nice? Pretty tough to do when they've already licensed the AT&T code, though. Essentially I'd guess that eliminates all current CBM employees from development on a PD Mach release, due to non-disclosure contract clauses with AT&T. >Having an OS engine under the hood that will allow use >of multiprocessor 68040's could turn out to be a technically simpler >way to progress than throwing out the entire 680x0 code base for >a new engine. Yes! I have no idea of the Mach internals; if it is a "supervisor and subordinates" paradigm, then lots of cheap coprocessors on a plug in board might be doable. If it is a "many peers" paradigm, then boardfulls of 68040's could run less tightly coupled. Either way, talk about your screaming graphics! Where's that tower with all the slots!?! Kent, the man from xanth. -- in the distance a roasted cave newt screamed in agony -- Andrew Palfreyman