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From: lishka@uwslh.slh.wisc.edu (a.k.a. Chri)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds
Subject: Re: NEW !?  HP PDL for 48sx
Message-ID: <1991Apr23.182415.12527@uwslh.slh.wisc.edu>
Date: 23 Apr 91 18:24:15 GMT
References: <1991Apr08.191523.5660@hoss.unl.edu> <1570028@hpnmdla.hp.com>
Organization: Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Lines: 40

darrylo@hpnmdla.hp.com (Darryl Okahata) writes:

>In comp.sys.handhelds, cook@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Steve Cook) writes:
>     In terms of market share, MSDOS-based PCs have the largest market
>share, followed by (probably) the Mac and then the Amiga.  This is the
>harsh realities of life.  ;-)  I have no connection with the calculator
>people but, if they only had enough resources to write PDL for one, and
>only one, platform, writing it for MSDOS-based PCs is probably the
>correct choice, as this will reach the largest number of users.

There is one other possibility: release the source code for the PDL to
a few good programmers on each "unsupported" machine to get a port for
the machine done.  This was accomplished for the Amiga with the USRLIB
program (I oughta know, 'cause *I* did the Amiga port of USRLIB).

This still requires some "resources:" there needs to be a contact
between the outside programmer doing the port and HP Corvallis.
However, it is probably nowhere near the amount of resources needed to
develop and debug a version of PDL for another computer.

If this is done (and I am definitely *NOT* implying it will be), then
I think the ported versions of PDL should be in the public domain (or
copylefted, or whatever legalese is needed).  In any event, I don't
think the public-at-large should have to pay anything more than a
"distribution fee" for work that is done by people on their own spare
time.  Usually the quality isn't as good as in-house development, but
then again the price would be right!

Disclaimer: the opinions expressed above are completely my own.  I
have no affiliation with HP-Corvallis except that I once ported USRLIB
to the Amiga with their help and approval.  I definitely do *NOT*
speak for HP in this matter.

					.oO Chris Oo.

-- 
Christopher Lishka 608-262-4485     It is not safe out here.  It is wonderous,
Wisconsin State Lab. of Hygiene     with treasures to satiate desires both
   lishka@uwslh.slh.wisc.edu        subtle and gross.  But it is not for the
   uunet!uwvax!uwslh!lishka         timid. -- Q