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From: dca@toylnd.UUCP (David C. Albrecht)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: MINIX - From the mouth of the horse
Message-ID: <124@toylnd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Jan-87 22:35:57 EST
Article-I.D.: toylnd.124
Posted: Tue Jan 20 22:35:57 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 22-Jan-87 03:41:45 EST
References: <1026@botter.cs.vu.nl> <4564@mit-eddie.MIT.EDU>
Sender: dca@toylnd.UUCP
Organization: Dave & Anne Charlottesville, Va
Lines: 58
Keywords: MINIX FSF GNU freedom Unix
Summary: GNU for you?

> GNU isn't an empty promise.  GNU Emacs is out there.  GDB (GNU's
> Debugger) is out there.  Bison, a YACC compatible Parser Generator, is out
> there.  The GNU C compiler (highly optimizing with VAX, 68000, and 68020 code
> generators) will be released soon.  Etc.
> 

GNU kind of strikes me as the "software for everyman" organization.
Unfortunately, the result has been "software for a select group".

     1) GNU Emacs - powerful, extensively featured.
		    piggy, slow, bogged down by a load of features
		    most of which I don't need.  Too large and slow
		    for practical use on either my 7300 or my amiga
		    i.e. not useful.

     2) GDB - don't know nuthin about this.  Debuggers tend to be
              rather system specific, however.  What systems does this
              run on?

     3) C compiler, kernel - don't know nuthin about this either.

     4) BISON - last I heard the output source from this processor includes
                the GNU manifesto causing it to require the same distribution
                rights as the GNU software.  YACC/LEX source is available that
		isn't freely redistributable for $50 that doesn't require you
		freely distribute the processed source code, I'd rather spend
		the 50 bucks i.e. again not practical.

     5) Distribution is via mag tape.  I don't know about you but I don't
	have one of those in my living room.  Again, not practical.


While Minix doesn't have the distribution freedom the GNU has,
it comes closer to being useful to the small computer user.

     1) Targetted for the PC it should be designed for a small
        not overly powerful system which makes it likely that the
	source may prove attractive to port to other similar size
	systems.

     2) While not freely distributable, the claim was that they wouldn't
	be to prissy about small amounts of redistribution.

     3) The software comes on IBM format disks which even my 7300
	will read.  Most people know someone that owns a PC that
	they can at least file transfer from.

     4) Open door to porting to other systems will probably result in
	any number of such ports.

If you operate a VAX with mag tape etc.. GNU is a great deal.
If you have a smaller box for $80 I think Minix is a steal and GNU impractical.
GNU given they are not interested in the bucks distributes in the way easiest
for them.  Minix is distributing in the way that will grab the most people
and bucks (which by definition is also the most useful).  I have no quarrel
with either organization (you pays your money and you takes your choice).


Dave Albrecht