Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!shelby!apple!ames!amdahl!ubvax!ardent!mrk!mac
From: mac@mrk.ardent.com (Michael McNamara)
Newsgroups: gnu.gcc
Subject: Re: info-gcc is not a common carrier (really gcc on apple)
Message-ID: <6808@ardent.UUCP>
Date: 31 May 89 21:52:34 GMT
References: <8905310246.AA00550@sugar-bombs.ai.mit.edu>
Sender: news@ardent.UUCP
Reply-To: mac@mrk.ardent.com (Michael McNamara)
Distribution: gnu
Organization: Ardent Computer Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 68


	I believe that gcc on the apple products is a valid way to
show apple the errors of their ways. (or at least show apples
customers...)

	I recall an interview with sun compiler people who were
getting quite discouraged that their compiler group, with all sorts
of wonderful credentials (ex Cray Research people, for example)
could not build a compiler that would generate code for their own
proprietary machine even nearly as good as that a free compiler (gcc)
could.  They dispaired of keeping up with gcc.
	
	Apple could also be put to shame in this manner. Consider the
fictional situation: Version 8.0 of the Mac OS is too large for the
Apple native C compiler to handle.  Hence they use a cross compiler on
their mainframe. The created MacOs object seriously impair's the Mac's
run time performance do to poor code quality in the cross compiled
object.  At the same time, gcc as ported to the Mac handles the code
easily, and generates an object half the size with much better code
quality and runtime performance.
	
	It will take time, but slowly the companies management will
discover that the goose that lays the golden egg (gcc) the only c
compiler that they can use to release their software, is also the one
objecting to the compaines fasicst copyright lawsuits....

	Now I personally think gcc is a wonderful concept.  There are
thousands of competant programmers out their quite willing to spend a
few hours making their own life easier. Gcc provides a forum for these
programmers to improve not just their own world, but also many others,
via sharing their efforts on gcc.

	Re Mr. Berry's annoucement of distribution availability of gcc
ported to A/UX:  

	Persons holding to strong Principles are judged by how
strongly the adhere to their announced Principles.  The more divergent
those Principles are from those of the main stream, the more harshly
the world will judge those who claim those Principles, yet diverge
from them.

	RMS has started a mini-revolution in software creation and
shareing. Evidenced by the popular support to the recent protest at
Lotus, this revolution is gaining momentum. The basic tenant of the
FSF seems to me to be the joint creation and shareing of quality
software for execution on all computers.  As this is a radical
concept, albeit one that is rapidly gaining support,
(dist-18.54/etc/MACHINES is over 500 lines long) there will certainly
be some malcontent companies, who will buck the trend.

	Certainly Berry will find a distribution channel for his free
software to current owners & users of the macintosh. Good quality free
software finds it's way to users, especialy software derived from the
FSF.
	Would it not perhaps be better to use this distribution of
free software as a vector to carry the Manifesto to those souls who
while currently using (the devils tools...:-) may be poor naive
peasents, that only need to be shown the way to the great true guiding
light of the FSF?
	
	Remember: a company is completely at the mercy of only one
Person: The Customer.  If the Customer says no, the company files
chapter 11.  Your message should be directed to the current customers
of apple.

_________________
Michael McNamara 
  mac@ardent.com