chris@Odyssey.ucc.ie (Chris Higgins) writes:

quoted text
>The thing is, that if they have a MAC and they don't know about the
>FSF/GNU then they won't want a CLI, they won't want Un*x. So I agree
>that porting Linux to the MAC would be in violation of the FSF
>recomendation/guideline/rule/whatever.

No, that's not the problem.  Linux itself isn't a GNU project, nor are
many of the contributers members of the FSF.  The sticky part comes
when you realize that Linux doesn't really *do* much without the help
of tools like gcc, and without the help and encouragement of the FSF
these tools might not have ever been ported to Linux in the first
place.  FSF is boycotting apple, so they will do nothing to help the
developers put the system together; nor will they support the system
if (or when) it ever runs [at least as I understand it].

quoted text
>BUT, having said that, I do believe that the FREE OS / FREE Software
>thing from GNU will have to be clarified....

Why don't you just read the FSF texts on the matter.  Read the
CopyLeft, the GNU Manefesto, or the many GNU mail lists.

quoted text
>>Not at all.  The best way would be to chuck that Mac out the window
>>and buy a real computer.

quoted text
>The MAC *IS* a real computer. ('real' does not imply 'good')... It's
>the politics behind it that is the problem.

I stand corrected on this issue, of *course* Macintrashes are real
computers, there are working UNIX ports to them! (:P) The question is:
Is it really worth anyone's time to port Linux over to them knowing
that
        1. The Linux kernel depends on a 386 protected mode architecture.
           Meaning, of course, that binary compatibility is out of the
           question, and that "porting software to Linux" would mean
           having to work on two completely different architectures.
           (Part of the reason for Linux's success to date is that
           all 386 and 486 systems at least share the same architecture.)
           To put it in simpler terms, a Linux port to the Macintrash
           *wouldn't be Linux*.

        2. FSF wants nothing to do with the project.  This means that there
           won't be any support for the compilers, and none for the
           tools compiled with them.  Macintrash Linux users might
           have to *ghasp* write their own patches to software or deal
           solely in precompiled packages (something else FSF isn't
           very fond of).

Having said this, we get to the issue of what Macintrash users want or
need.  Far be it from me to criticize someone for buying a tool that
works perfectly for their particular use, but I fail to see reason in
trying to make a Macintrash something that it's not.  Macintrashes
*have* a stable, multitasking operating system and a reasonable
selection of software and tools.  You don't have to option to get the
OS unbundled as you do in MS-DOGland, nor could you really get far
without commercial software packages.  

The few people I know that bought Macintrashes for personal use (most
have used Macintrashes at work, and consequently go to the computer
store looking for an alternative), the machines were purchaced for
homework (word processing) or business (spreadsheets, et al.) and
wouldn't know the difference between UNIX and VM/CMS if their lives
depended on it.  If the machine was bought for business, its because
Macintrashes are a plug-and-play system.  They're handy for plunking
down on someone's desk with minimal configuration and getting the work
done.

Perhaps I'm missing something important here, but I fail to see where
something like Linux would fit into such an environment.  If
Macintrashes are bought for their stability, compactness, and ease of
use ... it seems to me that most Mac users would run in the opposite
direction if confronted with a monster like UNIX.  I realize there are
a handful of Macs that run UNIX, but the market is tiny and is already
saturated with commercial offerings.

Finally, I see no particular advantages in running Linux on your home
Macintrash rather than purchasing a power PC with the expandibility,
compatibility, and portability issues already dealt with.  Computer
Shopper this month is selling complete 386SX/16 systems (the minimum
configuration) for under $500 and complete 486DX2/66 systems (top of
the line) for under $2500.  If you order your machine UPS Red today
and copy the SLS distribution off someone elses disks or your Internet
account tonight before you go home from work you could have a working,
stable, complete, recognised, supported, *FREE* UNIX look-alike
workstation by Wednesday (complete with 3 button mouse and *color*
display!).

quoted text
>If you love something, set it free. If it doesn't
>come back to you, hunt it down and KILL it.

Haha!  The new FSF motto? :)

Stratocaster
-- 
           Steve Davis (I'm a student, not a spokesperson!)
      strat@cis.ksu.edu - Kansas State University - Manhattan KS
                                   
 Anarchy means having to put up with things that really piss you off.