Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!neptune.rutgers.edu!frogpond.rutgers.edu!rbthomas From: rbthomas@frogpond.rutgers.edu (Rick Thomas) Newsgroups: comp.os.minix Subject: Re: Bruce's 32 bit kernel Message-ID: Date: 21 Aug 90 21:05:52 GMT References: <27801@nigel.ee.udel.edu> Organization: Rutgers Engineering Supercomputer Lab Lines: 26 Cc: rbthomas@jove.rutgers.edu What would be the reaction to a "386-PC-clone" Minix distribution, distinct from the 8086/80286 version, but available from P-H just like them and the Atari and Mac (and so on) versions? The big problem would seem to be getting a compiler that generates 32-bit 386 code and can be freely distributed by P-H. I understand that GCC cannot be so distributed, because of the requirement of the copy-left that source be made available. (Making source available on demand would be more hassle and expense than P-H would be willing to undertake.) I also understand Bruce's reluctance to have his compiler distributed to those who do not understand the experimental nature of the 'product', who would try to use it for 'production' and complain when it didn't work. Perhaps there is an ACK 386 compiler that could be distributed. The problem of keeping the source code in sync would seem to be not significantly worse for n versions (PC/Atari/Mac/Amiga/etc) than for n+1 versions (all of the above plus 386), so I don't think there should be any objection from that score. How about it? Andy, is such a thing possible? Everybody else, would you buy it if it were available? Enjoy! Rick