Newsgroups: comp.lang.smalltalk
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From: jr@petz.han.de (Joerg Rade)
Subject: Re: GNU Smalltalk for linux ?
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References: <199412221911.OAA11149@k2.esec.ch> <3ddeq8$pjg@news.iastate.edu> <pdlogan.10.000E3622@orglobe.intel.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 12:11:33 GMT
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Patrick D. Logan (pdlogan@orglobe.intel.com) wrote:

: Linux users (and Linux providers) would be getting more value from 
: Smalltalk/X's free distribution. It is more of a full Smalltalk system than 
: GNU's. (At least for now.)

As far as I know, ST/X is neither GPLed nor PD.  Do you get the C (or
whatever) source with it?  I don't question that the GUI may be more
advanced. The dynamic translation to C sounds like a smart idea too
(which is not available with the free version).

Remember the Digitalk /V286 story?  A relatively good product couldn't
evolve because the DOS Extender was bought from a third party, which
refused to further develop it.  Some of the ST kernel classes were
hidden, Digitalk even threatened people who developed decompilers for
those classes to be sued.  Some very mysterious bugs were there too.

I don't say that other companies would/have to do something similar,
but can you know that for sure?  My conclusion: Never trust something
you don't get in source!  

-j|g


-- 
  Joerg Rade   | How could I know what I say | jr@petz.han.de 
 Raabestr. 2   | before I hear what I think? | +49 511 698684 
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